bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reply to J. R. Wait by D. Rankin and R. P. Singh
Authors: Rankin D. , Singh R. P.
Published: October 2002

There is no real dispute between the magnetotellurist (Cagniard school) and the radio physicist (Norton school) in surface measurements of VLF and ULF fields. Each defines a mutually exclusive quantity which requires a different mode of measurement. The magnetotellurist measures the horizontal surface electric and magnetic fields, whereas, as Wait correctly points out, the radio physicist measures the horizontal and vertical electric fields.
Reply by the authors to R. N. Singh
Authors: Somerstein S. F. , Chang D. B. , Chung H.
Published: October 2002

We agree in principle with R. N. Singh’s primary objection, that in a finite volume retort interference effects due to reflections and multiple transmission paths could affect the magnitude of a received signal, and that by ignoring the phase we were employing an approximation. However, we believe that the good agreement we obtained with this approximation and the thermocouple results (Figures 9 and 10) justifies the approximation. Parenthetically, there was an observation of phase‐induced periodic amplitude variation, but only at the top of the retort at the air‐shale interface. We had expected to see this effect because there would be reflections off this discontinuity. By selecting only amplitude data beginning 10 m below this interface no phase contributions were seen.
Reply by the authors to L. LaCoste
Authors: Bell Robin E. , Watts A. B.
Published: October 2002

We thank Lucien LaCoste for his interest and discussion of our recent article on the BGM‐3 gravity meter system.
Reply by the authors to V. Anfiloff
Authors: Peirce John W. , Lipkov Lev
Published: October 2002

Anfiloff’s discussion focused on interpretational preferences with regard to the classically nonunique problem of converting gravity data into a structural geologic model. Our interpretation was designed to answer the exploration question: Is there enough sedimentary section in the Rukwa Rift to justify further exploration? By choosing conservative and easy to understand parameters and model concepts, we were able to arrive at a clearly affirmative answer to the question posed. In contrast, Anfiloff’s proposed assumptions, while certainly valid, are complex and would have only clouded the essential elements of the exploration perspective had we used them.
On: “A simple method of interpreting dipole resistivity soundings” by S. Niwas and M. Israil (GEOPHYSICS, 52, 1412–1417, October 1987)
Authors: Szaraniec Edward
Published: October 2002

The subject paper consists in approximating the apparent resistivity data by using a linear combination of suitable functions chosen in such a way that (1) they give a good approximation up to the desired precision and (2) they allow the kernel function to be determined analytically. Surprisingly enough, no mention is made that such an approach, especially directed toward interpretation of resistivity soundings, was first proposed by Santini and Zambrano (1981). The subject was subsequently continued by Kumar and Chowdary (1982) and commented by Santini and Zambrano (1982), Straub (1984), and Szaraniec (1982, 1984).
Response by G. J. O. Vermeer to authors’ reply
Authors: Vermeer G. J. O.
Published: October 2002

I am grateful to Peter Morse and George Hildebrandt for their illustrated reply to my comments. Obviously, shot‐coupling variations are a bigger problem in this case than side‐scatterers. I agree that both increasing the fold and using source arrays will reduce the effect of shot‐coupling variations.
Reply by the authors to David F. Aldridge
Authors: Hubral Peter , Tygel Martin
Published: October 2002

We find the observation of David F. Aldridge concerning the length of the Rayleigh pulse valid and constructive. It should contribute to make the Rayleigh pulse for practical applications even more attractive.
Reply by the author to Somaditya Dutta
Authors: Stolt Robert H.
Published: October 2002

Mr. Dutta is correct. To be consistent with equation (50), equation (51) should have a factor of c/2 out front.
Reply by the authors to A. Apparao and G. S. Srinivas
Authors: Bhattacharya B. B. , Sen M. K.
Published: October 2002

We appreciate the interest, though belated, of Apparao and Srinivas on our paper on depth of investigation studies over homogeneous anisotropic half‐spaces. According to them, there is an error in equation 13 in our paper. But the fact is that in reality there is no such error. It is not necessary that X and Z should be independent. If the well known equation 6 is valid for ([Formula: see text], y1, [Formula: see text]) space, then equation 13 is equally valid for (X, y, Z) space when X, y, Z are related in any manner to [Formula: see text], y1, [Formula: see text]. Determining NDIC for X, y, Z involves double Fourier transformation of X, y, and since the upper and lower limits remain unchanged, the final expressions derived (equations 14–18) in our paper are all valid. All these NDIC expressions can also be checked by integrating them from zero to infinity which equals to 1 for our expressions, as is to be expected.
Reply by Les P. Beard to José Arce
Authors: Beard Les P.
Published: October 2002

Jose Arce is correct in his observation that the field results of Roy and Jain (1973) are in contradiction the synthetically derived results of Beard and Tripp. I agree that field observations must ultimately take precedence over synthetic results. If careful field measurements consistently contradict theoretical results, then the mathematical model must be regarded as inadequate. However, geological complexity makes a single case history no more convincing than a single theoretical study, and few in‐field IP array comparisons have been published.
Reply by the authors to Ralph Knapp:
Authors: Brühl Matthias , Vermeer Gijs J. O. , Kiehn Michael
Published: October 2002

We appreciate the positive response of Dr, Knapp. We used Knapp’s paper (1991) as a starting point to improve our insight in Kirchhoff modeling which resulted in the definition of the zone of influence. We might have misunderstood parts of Knapp’s paper and are grateful for his clarification.
Reply by the authors to the discussion by F. Qin
Authors: Sethian J. A. , Popovici A. M.
Published: October 2002

We are more than happy to reference the paper by F. Qin et al. Both their paper and the “fast marching” method build on Dijkstra’s famous 1959 method for finding minimal costs and shortest paths in weighted networks. Dijkstra’s approach introduces the idea of expanding wavefronts to build a running cost outwards from a starting point, and introduces much of the stardard terminology in such algorithms, including the ideas of accepting smallest values in the expanding fronts and building solutions outwards in steps from these smallest values (see Dijkstra, E. W., “A note on two problems in connection with graphs,” Numerische Mathematic, 1:269–271, 1959). The terminology and approach are well‐known. They form a core part of undergraduate computer sciences courses, and are common to a variety of techniques for approximating shortest paths and expanding fronts, including the “fast marching” method.
Reply by the author to the discussion by Martin Tygel
Authors: Hokstad K.
Published: October 2002

Dr. Tygel demonstrates that the factor [Formula: see text] introduced in equation (B‐15) is zero. There is no doubt that the proof is correct. I thank Dr. Tygel for bringing this result to my attention.
2‐D wavepath migration
Authors: Sun H. , Schuster G. T.
Published: October 2002

Prestack Kirchhoff migration (KM) is computationally intensive for iterative velocity analysis. This is partly because each time sample in a trace must be smeared along a quasi‐ellipsoid in the model. As a less costly alternative, we use the stationary phase approximation to the KM integral so that the time sample is smeared along a small Fresnel zone portion of the quasi‐ellipsoid. This is equivalent to smearing the time samples in a trace over a 1.5‐D fat ray (i.e., wavepath), so we call this “wavepath migration” (WM). This compares to standard KM, which smears the energy in a trace along a 3‐D volume of quasi‐concentric ellipsoids. In principle, single trace migration with WM has a computational count of [Formula: see text] compared to KM, which has a computational count of [Formula: see text], where N is the number of grid points along one side of a cubic velocity model. Our results with poststack data show that WM produces an image that in some places contains fewer migration artifacts and is about as well resolved as the KM image. For a 2‐D poststack migration example, the computation time of WM is less than one‐third that of KM. Our results with prestack data show that WM images contain fewer migration artifacts and can define the complex structure more accurately. It is also shown that WM can be significantly faster than KM if a slant stack technique is used in the migration. The drawback with WM is that it is sometimes less robust than KM because of its sensitivity to errors in estimating the incidence angles of the reflections.
Velocities from amplitude variations with offset
Authors: Swan Herbert W.
Published: October 2002

The sensitivity of amplitude variations with offset (AVO) to normal‐moveout (NMO) velocity errors has usually been taken to be a significant limitation of the method. However, this sensitivity can, in most cases, be exploited to obtain more accurate velocities from a fully automated procedure. The error due to velocity in the AVO gradient is in phase quadrature with the AVO zero‐offset intercept. Furthermore, if the majority of reflectors within a suitable data window contain a similar gradient quadrature component, then it may be inferred that this component is due to an NMO velocity error. Both the intercept and gradient traces may be made analytic (complex) by combining them with i times their Hilbert transforms. The imaginary part of their joint correlation coefficient quantifies the gradient quadrature component and is proportional to the average of the fractional NMO velocity error over the data window. Unlike semblance, which is always positive, the sign of the imaginary correlation coefficient indicates whether the NMO velocity is too high or too low. The optimal NMO velocity, according to this criterion, is the one which nulls this imaginary correlation. This criterion minimizes the AVO gradient error, but does not necessarily maximize the full stack energy or yield the optimal stacking velocity. Because a null is picked, not a peak, the NMO velocity resolution is greatly improved. A velocity picking method is presented, which consists of the following steps: AVO analysis, removal of NMO stretch errors, calculation of the joint statistics between the analytic intercepts and gradients, and picking an NMO velocity to null this indicator. The velocity picking may be performed either manually or automatically through iteration. Automatic picking is computationally more efficient than it would be with semblance because only one correlation trace is calculated for each iteration, instead of one for every trial velocity. This efficiency makes velocity picking of every gather in a 3‐D survey feasible.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography for Recurrent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Wong R. J. , Lin D. T. , Schöder H. , Patel S. G. , Gonen M. , Wolden S. , Pfister D. G. , Shah J. P. , Larson S. M. , Kraus D. H.
Published: October 2002

PURPOSE: Patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) in this patient population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 143 patients with previously treated HNSCC who underwent 181 PET scans at our institution from May 1996 through April 2001 to detect recurrent disease. Disease recurrence within 6 months was used as the gold standard for assessing true disease status at PET.

RESULTS: With equivocal sites considered positive, the sensitivity and specificity of PET for detecting recurrence overall were 96% and 72%, respectively. PET was highly sensitive and specific at regional and distant sites. At local sites, sensitivity was high, but specificity was lower because of false-positive findings. One fifth of all false-positive PET scans occurred at sites of known inflammation or infection. The area under the curve for a receiver operator characteristic curve on the basis of standardized uptake value (SUV) was 0.882 ± 0.025. PET interpretation, SUV, and physical examination were independent predictors of relapse-free and overall survival in a time-dependent, multivariate proportional hazards model. An increase in SUV by one unit increased the relative risk (RR) of relapse by 11% and the RR of death by 14%. A positive PET interpretation increased the RR of relapse by four-fold and the RR of death by seven-fold.

CONCLUSION: PET was a highly sensitive method of detecting recurrent HNSCC and provided important prognostic information for relapse-free and overall survival.
Effects on Quality of Life of Combined Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy in Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Osoba David , Slamon Dennis J. , Burchmore Michael , Murphy Maureen
Published: October 2002

PURPOSE: The study was designed to compare the effects of treatment with a combination of trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA) and chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone on health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with HER-2/neu overexpressing, metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 400 patients, not previously treated for metastatic disease and randomized to receive either trastuzumab plus chemotherapy (208 patients) or chemotherapy alone (192 patients), completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment Care Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline and on at least one subsequent occasion at 8, 20, 32, 44, and 56 weeks. HRQL improvement or worsening was defined as a ≥ 10-point change (range, 0 to 100 points) in the scores of six preselected domains (global quality of life [QOL], physical, role, social, and emotional functioning, and fatigue). Stable HRQL was defined as a change of less than 10. A Bonferroni correction was applied for multiple testing.

RESULTS: After completion of chemotherapy, patients treated with trastuzumab and chemotherapy reported significant improvement in fatigue (P < .05) as compared with their baseline scores. Higher proportions of patients receiving the combined therapy achieved improvement in global QOL (P < .05) than did patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Higher proportions of the combined therapy group also achieved improvement in physical and role functioning and in fatigue as compared with the chemotherapy group, but the differences were not statistically significant. There were no differences in the proportions of patients in the two groups that reported worsening.

CONCLUSION: Statistically significantly higher proportions of patients treated with a combination of trastuzumab and chemotherapy reported improved global QOL than did patients treated by chemotherapy alone.
Oxaliplatin in Combination With Protracted-Infusion Fluorouracil and Radiation: Report of a Clinical Trial for Patients With Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Khushalani Nikhil I. , Leichman Cynthia Gail , Proulx Gary , Nava Hector , Bodnar Lisa , Klippenstein Donald , Litwin Alan , Smith Judy , Nava Enriqueta , Pendyala Lakshmi , Smith Patrick , Greco William , Berdzik Joanne , Douglass Harold , Leichman Lawrence
Published: October 2002

PURPOSE: To identify a dose and schedule of oxaliplatin (OXP) to be safely administered in combination with protracted-infusion (PI) fluorouracil (5-FU) and external-beam radiation therapy (XRT) for patients with primary esophageal carcinoma (EC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligibility included therapeutically naïve EC patients with clinical disease stages II, III, or IV. Initial doses and schedules for cycle 1 consisted of OXP 85 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29; PI 5-FU 180 mg/m2 for 24 hours for 35 days; and XRT 1.8 Gy in 28 fractions starting on day 8. At completion of cycle 1, eligible patients could undergo an operation or begin cycle 2 without XRT. Postoperative patients were eligible for cycle 2. Stage IV patients were allowed three cycles in the absence of disease progression. OXP and 5-FU increases were based on dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) encountered in cohorts of three consecutive patients.

RESULTS: Thirty-eight eligible patients received therapy: 22 noninvasively staged as IV and 16 noninvasively staged as II and III. Thirty-six patients completed cycle 1, 29 patients started cycle 2, and 24 patients completed cycle 2. The combined-modality therapy was well tolerated, but DLT prevented OXP and 5-FU escalation. No grade 4 hematologic toxicity was noted. Eleven grade 3 and two grade 4 clinical toxicities were noted in eight patients. After cycle 1, 29 patients (81%) had no cancer in the esophageal mucosa. Thirteen patients underwent an operation with intent to resect the esophagus; five patients (38%) exhibited pathologic complete responses.

CONCLUSION: OXP 85 mg/m2 on days 1, 15, and 29 administered with PI 5-FU and XRT is safe, tolerable, and seems effective against primary EC. The role of OXP in multimodality regimens against EC deserves further evaluation.
On the stationary workload distribution of work-conserving single-server queues: a general formula via stochastic intensity
Authors: Miyoshi Naoto
Published: October 2002

It is well known that a simple closed-form formula exists for the stationary
distribution of the workload in M/GI/1 queues. In this paper, we extend this to the general stationary framework. Namely, we consider a work-conserving single-server queueing system, where the sequence of customers’ arrival epochs and their service times is described as a general stationary marked point process, and we derive a closed-form formula for the stationary workload distribution. The key to our proof is two-fold: one is the Palm-martingale calculus, that is, the connection between the notion of Palm probability and that of stochastic intensity. The other is the preemptive-resume last-come, first-served discipline.
Chaoticity on path space for a queueing network with selection of the shortest queue among several
Authors: Graham Carl
Published: October 2002

We consider a network with N infinite-buffer queues with service rates λ, and global task arrival rate Nν. Each task is allocated L queues among N with uniform probability and joins the least loaded one, ties being resolved uniformly. We prove Q-chaoticity on path space for chaotic initial conditions and in equilibrium: any fixed finite subnetwork behaves in the limit N goes to infinity as an i.i.d. system of queues of law Q. The law Q is characterized as the unique solution for a non-linear martingale problem; if the initial conditions are q-chaotic, then Q0 = q, and in equilibrium Q0 = qρ is the globally attractive stable point of the Kolmogorov equation corresponding to the martingale problem. This result is equivalent to a law of large numbers on path space with limit Q, and implies a functional law of large numbers with limit (Qt)t≥0. The significant improvement in buffer utilization, due to the resource pooling coming from the choices, is precisely quantified at the limit.
A new characterisation property of mixed Poisson processes via Berman's theorem
Authors: Hayakawa Yu
Published: October 2002

In the literature on mixed Poisson processes, a number of characterisation properties have been studied. As a new characterisation property for mixed Poisson processes, we show that normalised event occurrence times are the order statistics of independent uniform random variables on (0,1). Berman's theorem on lp-isotropic sequences is applied to prove the results.
Exponential convergence of adaptive importance sampling for Markov chains
Authors: Baggerly Keith , Cox Dennis , Picard Rick
Published: October 2002

We consider adaptive importance sampling for a Markov chain with scoring. It is shown that convergence to the zero-variance importance sampling chain for the mean total score occurs exponentially fast under general conditions. These results extend previous work in Kollman (1993) and in Kollman et al. (1999) for finite state spaces.
Domain of attraction of the quasi-stationary distributions for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process
Authors: Lladser Manuel , San Martín Jaime
Published: October 2002

Let (Xt) be a one-dimensional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process with initial density functionf: ℝ+→ ℝ+, which is a regularly varying function with exponent -(1 + η), η ∊ (0,1). We prove the existence of a probability measure ν with a Lebesgue density, depending on η, such that for everyA∊B(R+):
On the waiting time in a janken game
Authors: Maehara Hiroshi , Ueda Sumie
Published: October 2002

Consider a janken game (scissors-paper-rock game) started by n players such that (1) the first round is played by n players, (2) the losers of each round (if any) retire from the rest of the game, and (3) the game ends when only one player (winner) is left. Let Wn be the number of rounds played through the game. Among other things, it is proved that (2/3)nWn is asymptotically (as n → ∞) distributed according to the exponential distribution with mean ⅓, provided that each player chooses one of the three strategies (scissors, paper, rock) with equal probability and independently from other players in any round.
On a better burn-in procedure
Authors: Cha Ji Hwan
Published: October 2002

A new burn-in procedure for a repairable component is proposed. During a burn-in period, the failed component is only minimally repaired rather than being completely repaired. This procedure is shown to be economical and efficient when the minimal repair method is applicable during a burn-in process. The properties of the optimal burn-in timeb∗and block replacement policyT∗are also given.
Optimal stopping and embedding
Authors: Lamberton Damien , Rogers L. C. G.
Published: October 2002

We use embedding techniques to analyse the error of approximation of an optimal stopping problem along Brownian paths when Brownian motion is approximated by a random walk.
Stein factor bounds for random variables
Authors: Weinberg Graham V.
Published: October 2002

A probabilistic proof of a Stein factor bound is given, extending the Poisson case in Xia (1999).
Proofs of the closure property of NBUC and NBU(2) under convolution
Authors: Hu Taizhong , Xie Huiliang
Published: October 2002

In this note, we give new proofs of the closure property of ageing classes NBUC and NBU(2) under convolution to make up the gaps in the proofs of Cao and Wang (1991) and of Li and Kochar (2001).
Approximations of small jumps of Lévy processes with a view towards simulation
Authors: Asmussen Søren , Rosiński Jan
Published: October 2002

Let X = (X(t):t ≥ 0) be a Lévy process and X∊ the compensated sum of jumps not exceeding ∊ in absolute value, σ2(∊) = var(X∊(1)). In simulation, X - X∊ is easily generated as the sum of a Brownian term and a compound Poisson one, and we investigate here when X∊/σ(∊) can be approximated by another Brownian term. A necessary and sufficient condition in terms of σ(∊) is given, and it is shown that when the condition fails, the behaviour of X∊/σ(∊) can be quite intricate. This condition is also related to the decay of terms in series expansions. We further discuss error rates in terms of Berry-Esseen bounds and Edgeworth approximations.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Fleckenstein Monika , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen , Chakravarthy Usha
Published: January 2024

Importance

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects approximately 20 million people in the US and 196 million people worldwide. AMD is a leading cause of severe vision impairment in older people and is expected to affect approximately 288 million people worldwide by 2040.

Observations

Older age, genetic factors, and environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking, are associated with development of AMD. AMD occurs when extracellular deposits accumulate in the outer retina, ultimately leading to photoreceptor degeneration and loss of central vision. The late stages of AMD are characterized by outer retinal atrophy, termed geographic atrophy, or neovascularization associated with subretinal and/or intraretinal exudation, termed exudative neovascular AMD. The annual incidence of AMD ranges from 0.3 per 1000 in people who are aged 55 to 59 years to 36.7 per 1000 in people aged 90 years or older. The estimated heritability of late-stage AMD is approximately 71% (95% CI, 18%-88%). Long-term prospective cohort studies show a significantly higher AMD incidence in people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day compared with people who never smoked. AMD is diagnosed primarily with clinical examination that includes a special lens that focuses light of the slit lamp through the pupil. Exudative neovascular AMD is best identified using angiography and by optical coherence tomography. Individuals with AMD who take nutritional supplements consisting of high-dose vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and zinc have a 20% probability to progress to late-stage AMD at 5 years vs a 28% probability for those taking a placebo. In exudative neovascular AMD, 94.6% of patients receiving monthly intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections experience less than a 15-letter visual acuity loss after 12 months compared with 62.2% receiving sham treatment.

Conclusions and Relevance

The prevalence of AMD is anticipated to increase worldwide to 288 million individuals by 2040. Intravitreally administered anti-VEGF treatment is first-line therapy for exudative neovascular AMD.
Versatile Agar‐Zwitterion Hybrid Hydrogels for Temperature Self‐Sensing and Electro‐Responsive Actuation
Authors: Yang Jueying , Huang Weiting , Peng Kelin , Cheng Zhekun , Lin Lizhi , Yuan Jingjing , Sun Yi , Cho Nam‐Joon , Chen Yu
Published: January 2024

Although recent years have seen considerable interest in stimuli‐responsive hydrogels, their strict preparation conditions and narrow applicability limit their use as diverse sensors and soft robots. Herein, a versatile Agar‐Zwirrions hybrid hydrogel actuator (Agar/PSBMA) integrated with simultaneous temperature self‐sensing and wide‐range electrical response is developed. To prepare the Agar/PSBMA hydrogel, a simple and controllable preforming post‐enhancing and mechanical pressing method is used by introducing zwitterions materials into a temperature‐sensitive Agar matrix. Owing to the design, the compact multiplex complementary structure generated by this method and the materials can facilitate the improvement of flexibility, stretchability, and toughness while providing mechanical dissipation and adhesion properties. Importantly, the visible detected temperature self‐sensing ability during 10–40 °C, and quick and wide‐range bending responses of both high‐voltage and low‐voltage electric fields make it unique over other actuators. Furthermore, the electrical response behavior of the hydrogel is found to be impacted by mechanical characteristics and charge polarization based on the finite element Abaqus simulations analysis. The prepared versatile hydrogels show the potential for applications as soft robotics and controlled transportation of adhered substances while simultaneously monitoring their working temperature, which expands the response range of hydrogel actuators and broadens the scope of application.
Establishing Multiple‐Order Built‐In Electric Fields Within Heterojunctions to Achieve Photocarrier Spatial Separation
Authors: Xue Sikang , Tang Hao , Shen Min , Liang Xiaocong , Li Xiaoyan , Xing Wandong , Yang Can , Yu Zhiyang
Published: January 2024

Hybridizing two heterocomponents to construct a built‐in electric field (BIEF) at the interface represents a significant strategy for facilitating charge separation in carbon dioxide (CO2)‐photoreduction. However, the unidirectional nature of BIEFs formed by various low‐dimensional materials poses challenges in adequately segregating the photogenerated carriers produced in bulk. In this study, leveraging zinc oxide (ZnO) nanodisks, a sulfurization reaction is employed to fabricate Z‐scheme ZnO/zinc sulfide (ZnS) heterojunctions featuring a multiple‐order BIEF. These heterojunctions reveal distinctive interfacial structures characterized by two semicoherent phase boundaries. The cathodoluminescence 2D maps and density functional theory calculation results demonstrate that the direction of the multiple‐order BIEF spans from ZnS to ZnO. This directional alignment significantly fosters the spatial separation of photogenerated electrons and holes within ZnS nanoparticles and enhances CO2‐to‐carbon monoxide photoreduction performance (3811.7 µmol h−1 g−1). The findings present a novel pathway for structurally designing BIEFs within heterojunctions, while providing fresh insights into the migratory behavior of photogenerated carriers across interfaces.
Combining 3D Printing and Cryostructuring to Tackle Infection and Spine Fusion
Authors: Fischetti Tiziana , Graziani Gabriela , Ghezzi Daniele , Kaiser Friederike , Hoelscher‐Doht Stefanie , Cappelletti Martina , Barbanti‐Bròdano Giovanni , Groll Jürgen , Baldini Nicola , Gbureck Uwe , Jungst Tomasz
Published: January 2024

Low back pain is among the main issues in vertebral orthopaedics. Intervertebral disk degeneration can be severe, up to requiring the replacement of the damaged disk by substitutes to achieve spine fusion. Disk removal results in critical size defects, so fusion does not occur naturally, but synthetic bone grafts are needed. Since the surgical procedure is time‐consuming, high infection rates occur. Hence, in spine fusion, bone regeneration enhancement and infection prevention are needed. Here, a new dual‐component system is proposed, to tackle both issues at one time. To enable spine fusion, 3D extrusion‐based printing is employed to develop coherent custom magnesium phosphate (CaMgP)‐based cages. The 3D‐printed scaffolds are hardened, and the structural properties are evaluated to be within the ranges of physiological bone. To prevent infection, an in‐house ice‐templating device is employed in combination with a 3D‐printed ceramic scaffold, to develop tailored porous alginate structures loaded with vancomycin. Results show that CaMgP can be printed into complex geometries and that the geometry influences the pore orientation during ice‐templating. These structures loaded with vancomycin have antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) strains.
Salivary alpha‐amylase stress reactivity in advanced‐aged marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): Impacts of cognitive function and oral health status
Authors: Sarmet Max , Takehara Sachiko , de Campos Priscila S. , Kagiyama Kensuke , Borges Luana S. , Kumei Yasuhiro , Zeredo Jorge L. L.
Published: January 2024

Salivary alpha‐amylase (sAA) is an enzyme found in saliva and is considered a noninvasive biomarker for sympathetic nervous system activity. While a wide range of sAA activity in response to stress has been reported in nonhuman primates, the effects of stress on sAA activity in common marmosets are still unknown. We tested the hypothesis that advanced age and cognitive function may have an impact on stress‐related sAA reactivity in marmosets. Thirteen marmosets (nine males and five females) had saliva samples collected during a stressful condition (manual restraint stress) at two different time points, with a 60‐min interval. On the next day, the animals underwent the object recognition test (ORT, a type of cognitive test), and then oral examinations. The animals were categorized into two age groups: old (10–13 years), and very old (15–22 years). Irrespective of age, sAA levels showed a significant difference between T1 (mean 2.07 ± 0.86 U/mL) and T2 samples (mean 1.03 ± 0.67 U/mL), with higher values observed at T1 (p < 0.001). The intra‐assay coefficients of variation (CV) for low and high sAA concentrations were 10.79% and 8.17%, respectively, while the interassay CVs for low and high sAA concentrations were 6.39% and 4.38%, respectively. Oral health issues were common but did not significantly impact sAA levels. The ORT indicated that the animals could recognize an object placed in the cage 6 h after familiarization. In conclusion, all marmosets showed a higher sAA concentration in the first saliva sample as compared to the second saliva sample collected 1 h later, indicating adaptation to stress. No significant differences in sAA levels were observed between sexes, ORT performance, or oral health. Our results indicate that autonomic responsivity and cognitive (memory) functions were preserved even in very old marmosets.
Machine Learning‐Based Prediction of Immunomodulatory Properties of Polymers: Toward a Faster and Easier Development of Anti‐Inflammatory Biomaterials
Authors: Akkache Aghilas , Clavier Lisa , Mezhenskyi Oleh , Andriienkova Kateryna , Soubrié Thibaut , Lavalle Philippe , Vrana Nihal Engin , Gribova Varvara
Published: January 2024

In biomaterials development, creating materials with desirable properties can be a time‐consuming and resource‐intensive process, often relying on serendipitous discoveries. A potential route to accelerate this process is to employ artificial intelligence methodologies such as machine learning (ML). Herein, the possibility to predict anti‐inflammatory properties of the polymers by using a simplified model of inflammation and a restrained dataset is explored. Cellular assays with 50 different polymers are conducted using the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 as a model. These experiments generate a dataset which is used to develop a ML model based on Bayesian logistic regression. After conducting a Bayesian logistic regression analysis, two ML models, K‐nearest neighbors (KNN) and Naïve Bayes, are employed to predict anti‐inflammatory polymers properties. The study finds that the probability of a polymer having anti‐inflammatory properties is multiplied by three if it is a polycation, and that nitric oxide secretion is a good indicator in determining the anti‐inflammatory properties of a polymer, which in this work are defined by tumor necrosis factor alpha expression decrease. Overall, the study suggests that with appropriate dataset design, ML techniques can provide valuable information on functional polymer properties, enabling faster and more efficient biomaterial development.
Ultrasensitive Plasmon‐Enhanced Infrared Spectroelectrochemistry
Authors: Li Jin , Wu Dan , Li Jian , Zhou Yue , Yan Zhendong , Liang Jing , Zhang Qing‐Ying , Xia Xing‐Hua
Published: January 2024

IR spectroelectrochemistry (EC‐IR) is a cutting‐edge operando method for exploring electrochemical reaction mechanisms. However, detection of interfacial molecules is challenged by the limited sensitivity of existing EC‐IR platforms due to the lack of high‐enhancement substrates. Here, we propose an innovative plasmon‐enhanced infrared spectroelectrochemistry (EC‐PEIRS) platform to overcome this sensitivity limitation. Plasmonic antennae with ultrahigh IR signal enhancement are electrically connected via monolayer graphene while preserving optical path integrity, serving as both the electrode and IR substrate. The [Fe(CN)6]3−/[Fe(CN)6]4− redox reaction and electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) are investigated on the EC‐PEIRS platform with a remarkable signal enhancement. Notably, the enhanced IR signals enable a reconstruction of the electrochemical curve of the redox reactions and unveil the CO2RR mechanism. This study presents a promising technique for boosting the in‐depth understanding of interfacial events across diverse applications.
Tailoring interfacial adhesion and mechanical performance of biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid)/rice straw by using maleic anhydride through reactive extrusion process
Authors: Asheghi‐Oskooee Reza , Morsali Parisa , Mohammadi‐Roshandeh Jamshid , Hemmati Farkhondeh
Published: January 2024

In this study, all‐green biocomposites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/rice straw (RS) as an agricultural waste were prepared, and the physical, structural, and mechanical properties of these biocomposites were enhanced by alkali‐pulping of RS and chemical grafting of PLA onto the lignocellulosic fiber. The reactive compatibilizers of maleic anhydride grafted PLA (PLA‐g‐MA) were obtained through a reactive extrusion process at different processing conditions. The probable chemical reactions between the functional groups of PLA‐g‐MA with hydroxyl groups of RS pulp as well as the end groups of PLA chains can effectively improve the interfacial adhesion between the filler and matrix. However, the findings confirm the great importance of PLA‐g‐MA chemical structure in controlling the biocomposite performance. By choosing proper processing conditions for preparing PLA‐g‐MA and incorporating this compatibilizer into the PLA/treated RS biocomposite, Young modulus, tensile strength, impact strength, and tensile toughness of the PLA/RS biocomposite increased by 101%, 156%, 96%, and 327%, respectively.
The merged and superposed sub‐tropical jet and polar‐front jet in the southwest Pacific: A case study
Authors: Yang Y. , Carey‐Smith T. , Turner R.
Published: January 2024

In the southwest Pacific, a meandering jet‐stream in the upper troposphere is sometimes found at ~30° S during austral winters and is usually treated as a sub‐tropical jet (STJ) due to its low latitude. For two contrasting cases, we have conducted analyses from two perspectives to identify the STJ and PFJ: first, using previously published qualitative criteria to identify jet‐cores and second, investigating the jet‐stream axes of STJ and PFJ identified using 2‐PVU curves. The results showed that the chosen meandering jet‐stream case at ~30° S was a merged, and for a time, a superposed STJ and PFJ. Downstream of the jet‐streak, the PFJ split to the south and the STJ to the east. This is in significant contrast to the horizontally well‐separated jet‐stream case chosen in this study. Some processes likely contributing to the superposition of the STJ and PFJ were analyzed and discussed. The movement of PFJ that was closely associated with the movement of the low over the Tasman Sea and the convection in and near the tropical region may have played dominant roles.
Clinical factor‐based risk stratification for precision therapy in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Liu Feng‐Yuan , Chen Wei‐Chun , Pan Yu‐Bin , Wang Chun‐Chieh , Tang Yun‐Hsin , Chou Hung‐Hsueh , Chao Angel , Yang Lan‐Yan , Lai Chyong‐Huey
Published: January 2024

Background

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer. In this study, we analyzed the pretreatment clinical and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) characteristics of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to develop a scoring prototype for risk stratification.

Methods

Two cohorts were constructed in this study. Cohort 1 comprised patients with cervical SCC with 2009 FIGO stage III‐IVA or stage I–II with positive pelvic or para‐aortic lymph node (PALN) on PET/CT from AGOG09‐001 trial. Cohort 2 comprised patients with similar characteristics who had received adequate therapy in our hospital between 2016 and 2021. Pretreatment patient characteristics and PET/CT parameters including maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of primary tumor and nodal SUVmax were assessed for cancer‐specific survival (CSS) using multivariate Cox regression.

Results

Analysis of combined data from cohorts 1 (n = 55) and 2 (n = 128) indicated age ≥ 66 years, primary tumor MTV ≥87 mL, and positive PALN on PET/CT to be independently significant adverse predictors for CSS (p < 0.001, p = 0.014, and p = 0.026, respectively) with a median follow‐up duration of 51 months. Assigning a score of 1 to each adverse predictor, patients with cumulative risk scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were discovered to have a 5‐year CSS of 86.9%, 71.0%, 32.2%, and 0%, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Age, primary tumor MTV, and positive PALN on PET/CT may serve as independent predictors of poor survival in patients with locally advanced cervical SCC. Our findings indicate that patients without any adverse factors can receive standard CCRT, whereas those with at least one adverse factor can consider novel combination therapies or clinical trials.
Fear of cancer recurrence in breast cancer survivors carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation: A qualitative study
Authors: Savard Josée , Filion Catherine , Brearty Claudia Mc , Caplette‐Gingras Aude , Chiquette Jocelyne , Dorval Michel
Published: January 2024

Background

There is preliminary evidence suggesting that FCR is a major problem for breast cancer survivors carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation. The goal of this qualitative study, conducted among women who were treated for breast cancer, was to provide a deeper understanding of how FCR is experienced in the context of a genetic predisposition to breast cancer.

Method

Three focus groups (90–110 min) were conducted with 19 breast cancer survivors carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation. The semistructured interview probed FCR level and impact, the role FCR played in the decision to have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and/or salpingo‐oophorectomy, the effect that surgery had on FCR, and the relevance of offering a psychological intervention targeting FCR to this population.

Results

Findings indicated that FCR was a significant issue in these women, even though a majority had undergone a prophylactic surgery. Patients strongly affirmed the need to develop and provide access to FCR interventions that are specifically adapted to the needs of this group.

Discussion

These results suggest that, although being the most effective medical option to reduce the actual risk of local recurrence (or second breast cancer), prophylactic surgery only partially reduces FCR. A psychological intervention targeting specifically FCR would be an appropriate complement to preventive surgery.
LC‐HRMS Profiling and Cytotoxic Potential of Actinomycetes Associated with the Red Sea Soft Coral Sarcophyton glaucum: In vitro and In silico Studies
Authors: El‐Hawary Seham S. , Hassan Marwa H. A. , Hudhud Ahmed O. , Al‐Karmalawy Ahmed A. , Mustafa Muhamad , Hamed Elsayed A. E. , Abdelmohsen. Usama Ramadan , Mohammed Rabab
Published: January 2024

In the current study, the actinomycetes associated with the red sea‐derived soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum were investigated in terms of biological and chemical diversity. Four different media, M1, ISP2, Marine Agar (MA), and Actinomycete isolation agar (AIA) were used for the isolation of three strains of actinomycetes that were identified as Streptomyces sp. UR 25, Micromonospora sp. UR32 and Saccharomonospora sp. UR 19. LC‐HRMS analysis was used to investigate the chemical diversity of the isolated actinobacteria. The LC‐HRMS data were statistically processed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 viz to differentiate the extract groups and determine the optimal growth culturing conditions. Multivariate data statistical analysis revealed that the Micromonospora sp. extract cultured on (MA) medium is the most distinctive extract in terms of chemical composition. While, the Streptomyces sp. UR 25 extracts are differ significantly from Micromonospora sp. UR32 and Saccharomonospora sp. UR 19. Biological investigation using in vitro cytotoxic assay for actinobacteria extracts revealed the prominent potentiality of the Streptomyces sp. UR 25 cultured on oligotrophic medium against human hepatoma (HepG2), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7) and human colon adenocarcinoma (CACO2) cell lines (IC50=3.3, 4.2 and 6.8 μg/mL, respectively). SwissTarget Prediction speculated that among the identified compounds, 16‐deethyl, indanomycin (8) could have reasonable affinity on HDM2 active site. In this respect, molecular docking study was performed for compound (8) to reveal a substantial affinity on HDM2 active site. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out at 200 ns for the most active compound (8) compared to the co‐crystallized inhibitor DIZ giving deeper information regarding their thermodynamic and dynamic properties as well.
Sustainable Point of View: Life Cycle Analysis for Green Extraction Technologies
Authors: Aslanbay Guler Bahar , Tepe Ugur , Imamoglu Esra
Published: January 2024

Microalgae have emerged as a promising source of renewable energy and natural bioproducts since they show high biomass productivity, offer carbon dioxide fixation, and exhibit a rich content of compounds. Recent efforts have focused on green extraction technologies that utilize green solvents to further promote sustainability and minimize the environmental impact of the microalgal process. At this point, life cycle analysis (LCA) provides valuable insights into the environmental impacts of specific products and techniques. A comprehensive overview of the life cycle environmental and energy assessments conducted for the extraction of metabolites from microalgae is presented. Special attention is given to using green extraction technologies, i.e., supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, and pulsed‐electric field extraction, and solvents to ensure sustainability. Additionally, the main principles, historical development, tools, and challenges of LCA are discussed. By addressing these aspects, the paper attracts attention to the environmental impacts associated with green extraction techniques for obtaining microalgal metabolites.
Chromenone‐Fused Pyrrolizines and Pyrrolizine Analogues of Lamellarins: Expanding the Lamellarin Family
Authors: Scalzullo Stefania M. , Morgans Garreth L. , Klintworth Robin , de Koning Charles B. , Fernandes Manuel A. , van Otterlo Willem A. L. , Michael Joseph P.
Published: January 2024

Several N‐ethoxycarbonylmethyl enaminones, prepared by Eschenmoser sulfide contraction between N‐(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)pyrrolidine‐2‐thione and various ortho‐oxygenated phenacyl halides, underwent cyclisation to give ethyl 6‐aryl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrolizine‐5‐carboxylates upon microwave heating with silica gel in xylene. With enaminones made from ortho‐hydroxyphenacyl halides, not only did dihydropyrrolizine formation take place, but spontaneous lactonisation also occurred to give 9,10‐dihydrochromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrolizin‐6(8H)‐ones. Bromination and Suzuki‐Miyaura arylation of these chromenopyrrolizines at the free C−H site on the pyrrole ring afforded four analogues of the lamellarin alkaloids in which a pyrrolidine ring replaces the isoquinoline system in the fused polycyclic core. The product 11‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dimethoxy‐9,10‐dihydrochromeno[4,3‐b]pyrrolizin‐6(8H)‐one, in particular, is a congener of the well‐known lamellarin G trimethyl ether. Preliminary results pertaining to an extension to chromenone‐fused indolizines are also reported.