bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement‐Device‐Independent Continuous‐Variable Quantum Secret Sharing
Authors: Liao Qin , Huang Lei , Fei Zhuo‐Ying , Fu Xi‐Quan
Published: February 2025

Although continuous‐variable quantum secret sharing (CVQSS) is theoretically proven to be secure, it may still be subject to various practical attacks due to the imperfections of devices. In this study, measurement‐device‐independent CVQSS (MDI‐CVQSS) is proposed in which measurement is no longer the duty for the dealer but is performed by an untrusted party Charlie, so that all detector side‐channel attacks can be eliminated, greatly enhancing the practical security of CVQSS system. The security bound is derived for the proposed MDI‐CVQSS, and its numerical simulation shows that MDI‐CVQSS outperforms conventional CVQSS in terms of both secret key rate and maximal number of users. It is found that MDI‐CVQSS possesses several unique properties, such as local stability of the secret key rate, low total excess noise and high utilization rate of raw data, which indicate that MDI‐CVQSS has the potential for efficiently building a large‐scale quantum communication network. Moreover, it is also suggested three variations of MDI‐CVQSS to satisfy the requirements of different multi‐point quantum communication scenarios.
Global Output Regulation for Uncertain Feedforward Nonlinear Systems With Unknown Nonlinear Growth Rate
Authors: Chang Le , Zhang Xiangbo
Published: February 2025

This paper proposes a method for designing an output regulation controller for a class of feedforward nonlinear systems, where the nonlinear terms exhibit an unknown input‐dependent rate. The completely unknown nature of this rate introduces significant challenges to control design, rendering existing adaptive and time‐varying methods ineffective. To address these challenges, we first introduce a bound on the input and transform the nonlinear condition into an equivalent case with an unknown constant rate. Subsequently, we develop both time‐varying and adaptive methods to design the controller. Through rigorous mathematical analysis, we prove that the regulation objective can be achieved under the proposed control framework. Illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed control strategy.
Long‐Term Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Using Silicon Nanoneedles
Authors: Nguyen Van Phuc , Jeong Jinheon , Zheng Mi , Lee Junsang , Zhe Josh , Wei Zhuying , Lee Chi Hwan , Paulus Yannis M.
Published: February 2025

Sustained‐release ocular drug delivery systems with minimal invasiveness are critical for managing eye diseases that cause blindness. An innovative platform is presented for painless and long‐term sustained ocular drug delivery utilizing controllably biodegradable silicon nanoneedles (Si NNs) conjugated with bevacizumab (Bev) integrated into a tear‐soluble subconjunctival patch. The biocompatible patch facilitates easy application in the subconjunctival area of the eye and rapid dissolution in less than one minute upon contact with the tear film in the sclera, eliminating the need for removal procedures. The Si NNs, fabricated with precise control over their degradation kinetics, enable sustained and controlled release of Bev into the ocular tissues. This platform offers enhanced patient comfort, reduced risk of complications, and prolonged therapeutic efficacy. In vivo studies using a rabbit model of retinal neovascularization (RNV), a clinically relevant proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), demonstrate the platform's ability to reduce RNV by 85% over a year, with no observable side effects. These results highlight the potential of this drug delivery method to penetrate the sclera and releaseBev gradually, providing a promising alternative for long‐term, controllable ocular therapy. This technology represents a significant advancement in painless, convenient, and effective treatment for eye diseases requiring sustained drug delivery.
Tailored Supramolecular Additives to Control the Crystallization Process and Morphology of MAPbI3
Authors: Kuhn Meike , Wenzel Felix A. , Greve Christopher , Kreger Klaus , Schwartzkopf Matthias , Schmidt Hans‐Werner , Grüninger Helen , Herzig Eva M.
Published: February 2025

Perovskite films feature unique optoelectronic properties, rendering them promising for electronic devices. The properties depend on the morphology on a broad range of length scales from nanometers to millimeters, influenced by a variety of factors. However, controlling the morphology is challenging. A tailored supramolecular additive, N, N’‐bis(2‐aminoethyl) terephthalamide is developed to control the intermediate and perovskite crystallization of methyl ammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) and enhance the thermal and moisture stability in the final film. Reversible coordinative interactions of the carbonyl groups with Pb2+ ions via Lewis acid‐base adduct and subsequent ion–ion interactions of the peripheral ammonium groups with the perovskite grain boundaries are combined which is stabilized by a strong hydrogen bonding pattern formed between the amide moieties of the additive molecules. Adding low amounts of this additive to the precursor solution significantly decelerates the structure formation and systematically reduces the crystallite size. Slower growth of the intermediate phases and the incorporation of the additive to the grain boundary is observed with multiple time‐resolved techniques. Evidence for the formation of single‐molecule interlayers between the MAPbI3 crystals and the presence of directed supramolecular interaction between additive molecules is shown. Transferability of this approach to other perovskites is anticipated, paving the way to improved processing control and stability.
Deep Learning‐Enhanced Chemiluminescence Vertical Flow Assay for High‐Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I Testing
Authors: Han Gyeo‐Re , Goncharov Artem , Eryilmaz Merve , Ye Shun , Joung Hyou‐Arm , Ghosh Rajesh , Ngo Emily , Tomoeda Aoi , Lee Yena , Ngo Kevin , Melton Elizabeth , Garner Omai B. , Di Carlo Dino , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: February 2025

Democratizing biomarker testing at the point‐of‐care requires innovations that match laboratory‐grade sensitivity and precision in an accessible format. Here, high‐sensitivity detection of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is demonstrated through innovations in chemiluminescence‐based sensing, imaging, and deep learning‐driven analysis. This chemiluminescence vertical flow assay (CL‐VFA) enables rapid, low‐cost, and precise quantification of cTnI, a key cardiac protein for assessing heart muscle damage and myocardial infarction. The CL‐VFA integrates a user‐friendly chemiluminescent paper‐based sensor, a polymerized enzyme‐based conjugate, a portable high‐performance CL reader, and a neural network‐based cTnI concentration inference algorithm. The CL‐VFA measures cTnI over a broad dynamic range covering six orders of magnitude and operates with 50 µL of serum per test, delivering results in 25 min. This system achieves a detection limit of 0.16 pg mL−1 with an average coefficient of variation under 15%, surpassing traditional benchtop analyzers in sensitivity by an order of magnitude. In blinded validation, the computational CL‐VFA accurately measures cTnI concentrations in patient samples, demonstrating a robust correlation against a clinical‐grade FDA‐cleared analyzer. These results highlight the potential of CL‐VFA as a robust diagnostic tool for accessible, rapid cardiac biomarker testing that meets the needs of diverse healthcare settings, from emergency care to underserved regions.
Enhanced Quantum Efficiency in Ca2−2xNaxGdxMgWO6:Mn4+ Phosphors: Allosteric Substitution to Disrupt Local Symmetry for Plant Cultivation Application
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Kang Runtian , Ma Xilin , Xie Jianming , Wang Yuhua , Seto Takatoshi
Published: February 2025

Light‐converting films enhance photosynthesis, yet most phosphors’ low quantum efficiency restricts their application. This work finds that the co‐substitution of Na+ and Gd3+ for Ca2+ in Ca2MgWO6:Mn4+(CMWO: Mn4+) significantly enhances the deep red emission by nearly tenfold. The phosphor can emit red light with a peak at 688 nm under near‐ultraviolet excitation, and an external quantum efficiency of 51.5%. The luminous intensity of phosphor stored at 85 °C and 85% humidity for 1000 h is about 95.36% of that at room temperature. Analyses of X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS), Rietveld, and electron density distribution reveal a unique mechanism of breaking parity‐forbidden d‐d transitions induced by the symmetry breaking through a big change of Mn4+ d‐orbitals distribution under cation substitution. This work designs a unique reflection‐typed sunlight‐conversion fluorescent membrane using Ca0.8Na0.6Gd0.6MgWO6: Mn4+(CNGMWO: Mn4+), which enables highly efficient directing of deep red toward crops. The actual growth of lettuce and mini‐tomatoes is examined, and the fresh weights of lettuce and mini‐tomatoes are increased by 57 ± 15% and 30 ± 20%, respectively, compared with the blank control group. Remarkably, the conversion membrane contributes to a +81% increase in the dry weight of lettuce. The results show that the deep red phosphor CNGMWO: Mn4+ holds promise for plant cultivation.
A High‐Security Chaotic Encryption Model for Biomedical Image Protection
Authors: Sudheesh K. V. , Benaka Santhosha S. , Puttegowda Kiran , Ravi Vinayakumar , Al Mazroa Alanoud
Published: February 2025

With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), ensuring the privacy and security of patient medical images has emerged as a pressing concern in the field of image privacy protection. Traditional medical image encryption methods, however, have often been criticized for their lack of flexibility and insufficient security measures. To address these challenges, proposed a new image encryption algorithm that uses the R3 (rotate, rescale, randomize) Model to apply the concepts of chaotic and hyperchaotic systems to new image encryption approaches. Based on the hyperchaotic behavior of the circle map system and the unpredictable behavior of the Chua system, the proposed algorithm performs scaling, rotation, and randomization on the target image. Basically, the input medical image is scaled and rotated using a chaotic system to minimize the association between neighboring pixels. To create an encrypted image, the permuted image is next subjected to a diffusion operation with the assistance of S‐box. By using these chaotic systems unpredictable behavior and sensitivity to beginning conditions, an encryption technique with a huge key space of 25208 is created, improving security overall and fortifying its resistance to brute‐force attacks. The speed at which the algorithm processes data and the minimal number of resources it consumes demonstrate its effectiveness, making it appropriate for real‐time applications. To evaluate the security and computational efficiency of the suggested encryption system, a series of grayscale medical photographs were subjected to extensive testing. In addition to having a large key space of about 25208, it also showed resistance to differential cryptanalysis, with NPCR and UACI values above 99.60% and 30.20%, respectively. The encrypted images' entropy was close to eight, suggesting improved system security. The technique is ideal for real‐time applications, with encryption speeds of 0.80 s for 512 × 512 images and 0.6 s for 256 × 256 images. The scheme's capacity to provide strong security with little computing overhead and complexity is demonstrated by experimental results.
Online Bayesian Variable Selection and Bayesian Model Averaging for Streaming Data
Authors: Ghosh Joyee , Tan Aixin , Luo Lan
Published: February 2025

There is an increasing prevalence of streaming data generation in diverse fields like healthcare, finance, social media, and weather forecasting. In order to acquire helpful insights from these massive datasets, timely analysis is essential. In this article, we assume that the streaming data are analysed in batches. Traditional offline methods, which involve storing and analysing all individual records, can be repeatedly applied to the cumulative data, but encounter significant challenges in storage and computing costs. Existing online methods offer faster approximations but most methods neglect model uncertainty, causing overconfidence and instability. To bridge this gap, we propose novel online Bayesian approaches that incorporate model uncertainty within a Bayesian model averaging (BMA) framework, for generalized linear models (GLMs). We propose computationally efficient methods to update the posterior, with individual records from the latest batch of data and summary statistics from previous batches. We demonstrate using simulation studies and real data that our methods can offer much faster analysis compared to traditional methods, with no substantial drop in accuracy.
Synaptosomal‐Associated Protein 25 kDA (SNAP‐25) Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis and Monitoring
Authors: Wolner Sofia Hjorth , Gleerup Helena Sophia , Musaeus Christian Sandøe , Høgh Peter , Ashton Nicholas J. , Brinkmalm Ann , Nilsson Johanna , Grötschel Lana , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Hasselbalch Steen Gregers , Walls Anne Byriel , Simonsen Anja Hviid
Published: February 2025

Synaptic degeneration has been linked to cognitive decline. The presynaptic protein, synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 kDA (SNAP‐25), is crucial for synaptic transmission and has been suggested as a biomarker in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the current study, we investigated the ability of SNAP‐25 to differentiate between heterogenous dementia etiologies and whether SNAP‐25 could be a staging marker in AD. SNAP‐25 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a retrospective (n = 187) and a prospective (n = 134) cohort was investigated with immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (IP‐MS) and single‐molecule array (Simoa), respectively. Both cohorts consisted of healthy controls (HC) and patients with cognitive decline of different etiologies. CSF SNAP‐25 concentration was higher in AD and non‐neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., vascular dementia) compared with controls but did not differ between AD and non‐AD neurodegenerative diseases. We found a trend toward an association between SNAP‐25 and disease burden when comparing HC, mild cognitive impairment due to AD, and AD. CSF SNAP‐25 concentrations were strongly associated with CSF phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) concentrations, thus strengthening the link between synaptic dysfunction and tau pathophysiology in AD. Our initial findings suggest that SNAP‐25 may be a potential biomarker for differentiating AD from dementia due to other etiologies. However, due to the significant association between SNAP‐25 and p‐tau proteins, the clinical utility of SNAP‐25 as a diagnostic biomarker for AD may be limited, while SNAP‐25 may be useful for monitoring disease progression or treatment response.
A Review of Processes and Models for the Export of Microplastics From Terrestrial to Aquatic Systems
Authors: Ibna Hafiz Abdul Mobin , Ahmadisharaf Ebrahim , Salehi Maryam , Farner Jeffrey , White Jason C. , Zeng Eddy Y. , Nazari Behzad
Published: February 2025

Microplastics have received increased attention due to their negative impacts on the environment and human health. To minimize these impacts, mitigation strategies that are efficient and cost‐effective for a range of plausible conditions need to be developed. Models can be used to support these mitigation‐related decisions. However, modeling studies related to the export of microplastics from terrestrial to aquatic systems have been limited. Here, we review such modeling studies, the trends over time and geography of focus, and discuss pertinent concepts and the underlying physical, chemical, and biological processes. We categorize the published modeling studies, discuss their limitations, and provide recommendations for future research to fill key knowledge gaps. Future modeling efforts should focus on collecting more comprehensive field data for validation, developing continuous models over event‐based, conducting experimental studies to better understand the fundamental processes, developing hybrid modeling frameworks, adopting sediment transport modeling approaches, incorporating land management practices in the models, integrating surface and sub‐surface processes at the watershed scale, and utilizing advanced data‐driven models like foundation models.
Three-point functions in Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena theory and integrable boundary states
Authors: Wu Jun-Bao , Yang Peihe
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We investigate the correlators of three single-trace operators in Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena (ABJM) theory from the perspective of integrable boundary states. Specifically, we focus on scenarios where two operators are 1/3-BPS and the entire correlation function is considered within the twisted-translated frame. The correlator can be expressed as the overlap between a boundary state and a Bethe state. It is found that the boundary state formed by the two 1/3-BPS operators is integrable when the number of Wick contractions between the non-BPS operator and one of the 1/3-BPS operators is 0 or 1. We compute the overlaps for the proven integrable cases utilizing the symmetries and the coordinate Bethe ansatz.
Novel mechanistic insights of the potential role of gasotransmitters and autophagy in the protective effect of metformin against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Abdel-Zaher Ahmed O. , Bakr Marwa H. , Gad Yomna H. , Abdelhafez Alaa T.
Published: February 2025

Metformin exerts antidiabetic and pleiotropic effects. This study investigated the function and mechanisms of gasotransmitters and autophagy in the metformin-induced protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI). According to measurements of serum hepatic function indicators and histopathological evaluation, metformin protected against hepatic I/RI-induced impairment of liver function and structure. In addition, metformin inhibited hepatic I/RI-induced hepatic oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Also, it suppressed hepatic I/RI-induced decrease in hepatic heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels and increase in nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, metformin inhibited hepatic I/RI-induced decrease in protein expressions of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), HO-1, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and Beclin-1 and increase in the protein expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in the liver tissue. Co-administration of the NO biosynthesis inhibitor, L-NAME, carbon monoxide(CO)-releasing molecule-A1 (CORM-A1), the H2S donor, NaHS, or the autophagy stimulator, rapamycin (RAPA), enhanced all effects of metformin. The NO donor, L-arginine, the CO biosynthesis inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin, the H2S biosynthesis inhibitor, DL-propargylglycine, or the autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine (CQ), antagonized the effects of metformin. These findings reveal, for the first time, that increasing CO, H2S, and autophagy levels with subsequent decreasing NO level play a critical role in metformin's protective action against hepatic I/RI. The ability of L-NAME, CORM-A1, NaHS, and RAPA to boost metformin’s protective effect in hepatic I/RI may positively be attributed to their ability to lower hepatic oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
Solving Hilfer fractional dirac systems: a spectral approach
Authors: Ercan Ahu , Bas Erdal , Ozarslan Ramazan
Published: February 2025

In this study, we define Hilfer fractional Dirac system. Our main object is to analyze the main spectral structure of the Hilfer fractional Dirac system. To this end, the self-adjointness of the Hilfer fractional Dirac operator, orthogonality of the eigen-vector-functions, and reality of the eigenvalues are displayed. Also, we obtain the representation of the solution of the system by using Laplace transforms with analytical estimations. We investigate eigen-vector functions and eigenvalues for the Hilfer fractional Dirac boundary value problem and illustrate the results in detail with tables and figures.
Scheduling problems on parallel dedicated machines with non-renewable resource
Authors: Mor Baruch , Berlińska Joanna
Published: February 2025

We study scheduling problems on parallel dedicated machines and assume that a specific job can only be processed on one specific machine. We concentrate on solving scheduling problems involving convex resource allocation and address three of the most fundamental measures in scheduling theory, i.e., makespan, total load, and total weighted completion time. Firstly, we focus on position-independent workloads, and then we study the setting of general position-dependent workloads, i.e., the workloads are not restricted to be either monotone functions of the job positions or any specific functions. In all problems, we assume a common continuous and non-renewable (limited) resource and adapt known results from scheduling theory to solve the considered problems.
Draw procedures for balanced 3-team group rounds in sports competitions
Authors: Laliena Pablo , López F. Javier
Published: February 2025

We propose procedures for draws in sports tournaments that will achieve balanced groups of size 3. We start by developing an efficient algorithm that finds all possible balanced groupings; that is, allocations of teams to groups such that the strength of all groups lies between two bounds. The algorithm uses comparison results to discard large sets of unfeasible allocations and backtracking. We then define pot-and-ball draws that randomly pick one of the balanced groupings. Our draw procedures ensure that all groups are of (virtually) identical competitive levels, thereby enhancing the overall fairness and interest of the tournament.
Genome-wide patterns of diversity in the European midwife toad complex: phylogeographic and conservation prospects
Authors: Ambu Johanna , Caballero-Díaz Carlos , Sánchez-Montes Gregorio , Nicieza Alfredo G. , Velo-Antón Guillermo , Hernandez Axel , Delmas Claudine , Trochet Audrey , Wielstra Ben , Crochet Pierre-André , Martínez-Solano ĺñigo , Dufresnes Christophe
Published: February 2025

Assessing how genetic diversity is spatially structured underlies many research questions in evolutionary ecology and contributes to understanding the factors implicated in population declines and extirpations, facilitating identification of conservation priorities and decision-making. In this study, we surveyed genomic diversity using genotyping by sequencing in the six subspecies of the midwife toad Alytes obstetricans/almogavarii complex, a group of amphibians from southwestern Europe threatened by habitat loss, climate change and chytridiomycosis. We first illustrate how the structure evident in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA microsatellites is discordant with the respective distributions of subspecies and patterns of admixture between them. We further document a deeply-divergent mtDNA haplogroup unique to Central Spain that is not reflected by the nuclear diversity, likely corresponding to a ghost mtDNA lineage. Patterns of genetic diversity and structure differ among and within subspecies. The Pyrenean endemics A. a. almogavarii and A. a. inigoi form homogenous genetic groups with high levels of heterozygosity, while the more widespread A. o. pertinax, A. o. boscai and A. o. lusitanicus are geographically structured across the Iberian Peninsula, comprising both genetically diverse and impoverished populations. Finally, A. o. obstetricans probably persisted in a composite glacial refugium north of the Pyrenees, from which it recently expanded across Western Europe, losing much of its genetic variation. Our results should be considered in future red list assessments, management unit delimitation, and ex-situ conservation efforts, and are also relevant to study chytrid epidemiology, for which A. obstetricans has been a model organism for nearly three decades.
Social Worker Attitudes towards Psychedelics
Authors: Sims Eva Nowakowski , Holzworth Joshua
Published: February 2025

The use of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders is gaining attention due to a growing evidence base and pending FDA approval. Very little is known regarding what social workers know and how they feel about psychedelics as a treatment for mental health disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore social worker attitudes towards psychedelics and social worker knowledge and interest in using psychedelics with psychological support (PAT). One hundred sixty-eight social workers (69.3% female, 73.1% white) completed an online survey. Overall, social workers had positive attitudes towards psychedelics. Previous use with psychedelics, previous training with psychedelics, being male, and non-Christian predicted positive attitudes toward psychedelics. Only 19% reported they were knowledgeable about delivering psychedelics with psychological support, indicating a lack of knowledge, but 75% were interested in learning more about incorporating psychedelics with psychological support, pointing to the need for specialized training.
Genetic parameter estimates and selection gain for multiple traits in white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) in Ghana
Authors: Darkwa Kwabena , Adjei Emmanuel Amponsah , Chamba Emmanuel B. , Sayibu Alhassan , Amegbor Isaac Kodzo , Agyapong Freda Ansaah , Sayibu Ziblila , Sayibu Ibrahim , Kangmennaang Martain , Issifu Muazu , Agre Paterne A. , Adebola Patrick , Asfaw Asrat
Published: February 2025

Quantifying selection gains enables a more targeted assessment of breeding program effectiveness, highlighting opportunities for strategic improvement and optimized genetic advancement in white Guinea Yam. This study assessed genetic parameters and gain for key traits in a white Guinea yam (D. rotundata) breeding population. A total of 81 genotypes were evaluated for two seasons using a 9 × 9 lattice design with three replicates. Data was collected on yam mosaic virus disease severity, tuber yield and tuber dry content for genetic analysis. Broad sense heritability was generally high (> 60) for most of the traits. At the same time, the corresponding genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was exceptionally high (30.28–93.96%) for tuber yield, tuber flesh oxidation, average tuber weight and number of tubers per plant, suggesting additive genetic effects. A multi-trait selection index of the 5% highest performing genotypes revealed positive genetic gain for plant vigour, tuber length, and width, tuber weight per plant, average tuber weight and fresh tuber yield. The genetic gain was, however, negative for tuber dry matter content compared to the check varieties, necessitating a modification of the current breeding scheme such that post-harvest food quality is not sacrificed for tuber yield. Ranking of the breeding lines based on the multi-trait selection index identified four lines (TDr1700004_014, TDr1700004_113, TDr1700001_112 and TDr1700002_090) with high genetic merits for all the economic traits. These lines can be used as potential trait progenitors and evaluated further for possible release as new varieties. Our results decipher the genetic control and provide an overview of the performance of the breeding program for key traits in white Guinea yam.
Interpretable optimisation-based approach for hyper-box classification
Authors: Liapis Georgios I. , Tsoka Sophia , Papageorgiou Lazaros G.
Published: February 2025

Data classification is considered a fundamental research subject within the machine learning community. Researchers seek the improvement of machine learning algorithms in not only accuracy, but also interpretability. Interpretable algorithms allow humans to easily understand the decisions that a machine learning model makes, which is challenging for black box models. Mathematical programming-based classification algorithms have attracted considerable attention due to their ability to effectively compete with leading-edge algorithms in terms of both accuracy and interpretability. Meanwhile, the training of a hyper-box classifier can be mathematically formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model and the predictions combine accuracy and interpretability. In this work, an optimisation-based approach is proposed for multi-class data classification using a hyper-box representation, thus facilitating the extraction of compact IF-THEN rules. The key novelty of our approach lies in the minimisation of the number and length of the generated rules for enhanced interpretability. Through a number of real-world datasets, it is demonstrated that the algorithm exhibits favorable performance when compared to well-known alternatives in terms of prediction accuracy and rule set simplicity.
Red blood cell segmentation and classification using hybrid image processing-squeezenet model
Authors: K. T. Navya , Prakash Nihar , Prasad Keerthana , Singh Brij Mohan Kumar
Published: February 2025

In medical diagnostics, blood testing is considered to be one of the most important clinical examination tests. Manual microscopic inspection of blood cells is time-consuming and subjective. Therefore, an automated blood cell classification system that will help a pathologist to identify the components of blood and diagnose the diseases pertaining to those cells, in a fast and efficient manner is useful. Due to multiple variable factors such as cell types, different stains and magnifications, and data complexities such as cell overlapping, inhomogeneous intensities, background clutters and image artifacts, development of a model for automated diagnosis of blood cells is an arduous task. This paper presents a robust and accurate method of segmenting and classifying the blood cells in Peripheral Blood Smear (PBS) images. The method involves a pre-processing step consisting of Decorrelation Stretching (DCS), followed by histogram matching for stain normalization and a Fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm for the segmentation of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). The segmented blood cells were then counted and classified as normal and abnormal along with the type of abnormalities using the SqueezeNet Deep Learning (DL) model which offered an average classification accuracy of 97.9%.
Hypothalamic GHRH
Authors: Carlos Dieguez , Miguel López , Felipe Casanueva
Published: February 2025

Despite initial discovery in pancreatic tumors, GHRH is a 44-amino acid peptide primarily expressed in the hypothalamus. Recent RNA sequencing clarifies GHRH expression: predominantly hypothalamic in humans, with some basal ganglia presence, while extending to additional central nervous system (CNS) regions in other species. GHRH binds to its G-protein coupled receptor (GHRHR) in the arcuate (ARC), ventromedial (VMH), and periventricular (PeN) nuclei of the hypothalamus to exert its effects. Notably, the highest non-brain expression is found in somatotroph cells of the pituitary, directly targeting growth hormone (GH) production. GHRH is the primary regulator of pulsatile GH secretion, counteracted by somatostatin. While early models proposed alternating GHRH/somatostatin bursts, others implicate somatostatin as the primary regulator of GH pulse timing. These models fail to fully explain species and gender differences, particularly regarding nutritional status. The discovery of ghrelin, acting via GHS-R1a on GHRH neurons, significantly advanced understanding of GH regulation. Ghrelin interacts intricately with GHRH, modulating its expression and neuronal activity. Ghrelin also exerts GHRH-independent GH stimulation and synergizes with GHRH. The crucial role of GHRH in GH regulation is demonstrated by its key involvement in the action of other GH regulators, such as leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and orexins. However, these interactions have also revealed that the physiological effects of GHRH extend far beyond its canonical role as a GH secretagogue. In this context, GHRH is thought to be a key regulator of the sleep-wake cycle and may be involved in whole-body energy homeostasis. The objective of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on GHRH and to discuss the potential pleiotropic effect of this hypothalamic neuropeptide, far beyond its classical action as regulator of the somatotroph axis.
Shifting boundaries, extended minds: ambient technology and extended allostatic control
Authors: White Ben , Clark Andy , Guènin-Carlut Avel , Constant Axel , Di Paolo Laura Desirée
Published: February 2025

This article applies the thesis of the extended mind to ambient smart environments. These systems are characterised by an environment, such as a home or classroom, infused with multiple, highly networked streams of smart technology working in the background, learning about the user and operating without an explicit interface or any intentional sensorimotor engagement from the user. We analyse these systems in the context of work on the “classical” extended mind, characterised by conditions such as “trust and glue” and phenomenal transparency, and find that these conditions are ill-suited to describing our engagement with ambient smart environments. We then draw from the active inference framework, a theory of brain function which casts cognition as a process of embodied uncertainty minimisation, to develop a version of the extended mind grounded in a process ontology, where the boundaries of mind are understood to be multiple and always shifting. Given this more fluid account of the extended mind, we argue that ambient smart environments should be thought of as extended allostatic control systems, operating more or less invisibly to support an agent’s biological capacity for minimising uncertainty over multiple, interlocking timescales. Thus, we account for the functionality of ambient smart environments as extended systems, and in so doing, utilise a markedly different version of the classical thesis of extended mind.
Workload and clinical impact of MRI-based extension of reperfusion therapy time window in acute ischaemic stroke—a prospective single-centre study
Authors: Takács Tímea Tünde , Magyar-Stang Rita , Szatmári Szabolcs , Sipos Ildikó , Saftics Katalin , Berki Ádám József , Évin Sándor , Bereczki Dániel , Varga Csaba , Nyilas Nóra , Bíró István , Barsi Péter , Magyar Máté , Maurovich-Horvat Pál , Böjti Péter Pál , Pásztor Máté , Szikora István , Nardai Sándor , Gunda Bence
Published: February 2025

Current European Stroke Organisation (ESO) guidelines recommend extended time window reperfusion therapies (4.5–9 h for thrombolysis, 6–24 h for thrombectomy) based on advanced imaging. However, the workload and clinical benefit of this strategy on a population basis are not known. To determine the caseload, treatment rates, and outcomes in the extended as compared to the standard time windows. All consecutive ischaemic stroke patients within 24 h of last known well between 1st March 2021 and 28th February 2022 were included in a prospective single-centre study. Treatment eligibility in the extended time windows or wake-up strokes recognized within 4 h was based on current ESO guideline criteria using MRI DWI-PWI or DWI-FLAIR mismatch. MRI was only available during working hours (8–20 h); otherwise, CT/CTA was used. Clinical outcome in treated patients was assessed at three months. Among the 777 admitted patients, 252 (32.4%) had MRI. The thrombolysis rate was 119/304 (39.1%) in standard and 14/231 (6.1%) in the extended time window. The thrombectomy rate was 34/386 (8.8%) in standard and 15/391 (3.8%) in the extended time window. Independent clinical outcomes (mRS ≤ 2) were not statistically different in early and late-treated patients both for thrombolysis (48% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.25) and thrombectomy (38.4% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.99). Even with a limited availability of advanced imaging extending therapeutic time windows resulted in an 11.7% increase in thrombolysis and a 44% increase in thrombectomy with comparable clinical outcomes in early and late-treated patients at the price of a twofold burden in clinical and advanced imaging screening.
Comparative analysis of carbon stock and litter nutrient concentration in tropical forests along the ecological gradient in Kenya
Authors: Namaswa Timothy , Mandila Brexidis , Hitimana Joseph , Kananu Judith
Published: February 2025

The study determined the carbon stocks and litter nutrient concentration in tropical forests along the ecological gradient in Kenya. This could help understand the potential of mitigating climate change using tropical forest ecosystems in different ecological zones, which are being affected by climate change to a level that they are becoming carbon sources instead of sinks. Stratified sampling technique was used to categorize tropical forests into rain, moist deciduous and dry zone forests depending on the average annual rainfall received. Simple random sampling technique was used to select three tropical forests in each category. Modified consistent sampling technique was used to develop 10 main 20 m × 100 m plots in each forest, with 20 2 m × 50 m sub-plots in each plot. Systematic random sampling technique was used in selecting 10 sub-plots from each main plot for inventory study. Non-destructive approach based on allometric equations using trees’ diameter at breast height (DBH), total height and species’ wood specific gravity were used in estimating tree carbon stock in each forest. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and litter nutrient concentration (total phosphorus and nitrogen) were determined in each forest based on standard laboratory procedures. The results indicated that, whilst trees in rain forests recorded a significantly higher (p < 0.001) DBH (20.36 cm) and total tree height (12.1 m), trees in dry zone forests recorded a significantly higher (p < 0.001) specific gravity (0.67 kg m−3). Dry zone tropical forests stored a significantly lower amount of total tree carbon of 73 Mg ha−1, compared to tropical rain forests (439.5 Mg ha−1) and moist deciduous tropical forests (449 Mg ha−1). The SOC content was significantly higher in tropical rainforests (3.9%), compared to soils from moist deciduous (2.9%) and dry zone forests (1.8%). While litter from tropical rain forests recorded a significantly higher amount of total nitrogen (3.4%), litter from dry zone forests recorded a significantly higher concentration of total phosphorus (0.27%). In conclusion, ecological gradient that is dictated by the prevailing temperatures and precipitation affects the tropical forests carbon stock potential and litter nutrient concentration. This implies that, the changing climate is having a serious implication on the ecosystem services such as carbon stock and nutrients cycling in tropical forests.
Cost analysis of limb salvage: comparing limb revascularisation and amputation in patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischaemia (CLTI) at University Hospital Limerick
Authors: Toomey Anne Marie , Leahy Fiona , Purtill Helen , O’Brien Norma , O’Donovan Emer , Ahmed Zeeshan , Medani Mekki , Moloney Tony , Kavanagh Eamon G.
Published: February 2025

Background

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is increasing globally. An increase in PAD in an ageing population inevitably results in an increase in incidence of Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia (CLTI). Loss of a limb is a life-changing event with immeasurable cost to the individual, while the potential financial benefit of saving a limb is not well documented.

Aims

The focus of this study was to estimate the cost associated with surgical interventions used in the treatment of CLTI compared with amputation.

Methods

The cost to treat a CLTI diagnosis in 124 patients was analysed in an acute tertiary referral hospital over a 13-month study period. The analysis included staffing, medical devices used, number of blood components used and the length of stay. Statistical methods included descriptive statistical data and the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

The median cost, associated with length of stay, post-amputation and post-revascularisation (hybrid) was €61,313 [IQR = €44,417, €83,331] and €46,573 [IQR = €25,687, €58,554] respectively, p < 0.001.

The total median cost for length of stay for amputees in an acute hospital, rehabilitation and a prosthetic limb was €88,820 [IQR = €74,486, €110,248].

The median surgical cost of an amputation was €2,064 [IQR = €1,342, €2,866], whilst the median surgical cost of a revascularisation procedure (hybrid) was €5,966 [IQR = €4,380, €7,723], p < 0.001, inclusive of total blood components transfused.

Conclusion

Revascularisation surgical interventions are more expensive than amputation, however, the length of stay, rehabilitation and prosthetic limb costs, for a patient undergoing a major limb amputation, is significantly more costly.
Mathematical modelling of hollow microneedle-mediated transdermal drug delivery
Authors: Benbrook Neil , Zhan Wenbo
Published: February 2025

Hollow microneedles represent a promising approach for overcoming the protective barrier of the stratum corneum, facilitating direct drug infusion into viable skin tissue and thereby enhancing the efficacy of transdermal delivery. However, delivery outcomes across different skin layers and into the systemic circulation can vary substantially due to the diverse properties of drug delivery systems, clinical settings, and environmental factors. The optimal strategies for enhancing the efficiency of hollow microneedle-mediated transdermal drug delivery remain to be elucidated. This study employs mathematical modelling and a reconstructed skin model with realistic anatomical structures to investigate drug transport and accumulation across different skin layers and into the bloodstream under different delivery conditions. The modelling results reveal the crucial role of interstitial fluid flow in determining drug transport in this transdermal delivery. Delivery outcomes of each skin layer and blood exhibit distinct responses to changes in delivery conditions. Specifically, increasing the vascular permeability or nanocarrier diffusivity raises drug concentration in the blood or reticular dermis, respectively, while leading to reductions in other skin layers. The use of microneedles with narrower infusion channels can only enhance drug availability in the viable epidermis. Optimisation requires a tailored approach to several parameters depending on the target skin layer, including drug release rate, infusion rate, infusion duration, and microneedle length. Environmental factors that promote trans-epidermal water loss can increase drug concentration in the viable epidermis but have a limited impact on deeper skin tissues. The findings support the selection or customisation of hollow microneedles and nanocarriers to address specific therapeutic needs, such as targeting specific skin layers or systemic circulation, while minimising the risk of side effects from high drug concentrations in normal tissues. This study provides guidance for optimising transdermal drug delivery systems.

Graphical Abstract
Scaling up soil electrokinetic removal of inorganic contaminants based on lab chemical and biological optimizations
Authors: Abou-Shady A. , Eissa D. , Yaseen R. , Ibrahim G. A. Z. , Osman M. A.
Published: February 2025

One efficient physiochemical method for removing pollutants from soils, particularly those with low permeability, is soil electrokinetic remediation (SEKR). For the ex-situ laboratory scale, we have introduced the perforated cathode pipe SEKR system (PCPSS). The first effort to examine scaling up PCPSS for removing inorganic pollutants from real contaminated soil is presented in this article. First, the effects of various enhanced chemical and biological additives (ECBA) with soil were examined in order to maximize the PCPSS (i.e. HNO3, EDTA, biosurfactant with bacterial broth culture, powder of crude extracted biosurfactant, and formic acid). After then, the PCPSS was scaled up using the best ECBA and solar energy as a power source. When formic acid was combined with actual polluted soil, the findings demonstrated the high effectiveness of the PCPSS (laboratory scale) in removing inorganic contaminants. By combining biosurfactant with bacterial broth culture, nitric acid, and formic acid, the electroosmosis flow was enhanced. Solar energy has demonstrated the capacity to run the PCPSS in the scale-up experiment, which makes it an excellent substitute for the SEKR upscaling unit’s power source. From the center of the PCPSS scale-up, the inorganic contaminants were removed in the following descending order: Cd (50%) > Pb (48%) > Mn (40%) > Sr (39%) > Zn (23%) > Cr (20%) > Cu (16%) > Ni (15%). Nearly the same pattern was seen for the removed inorganic pollutants from the region behind the PCPSS scale-up unit’s center. The PCPSS scale-up unit will undergo ongoing modifications to increase the removal efficiency of inorganic pollutants from actual polluted soils.

Graphical abstract
Evaluation of prescribing practices and treatment failure for purulent skin and soft tissue infections in patients with obesity
Authors: Miller Mackenzie L. , Hughson Destiny M. , Blower Noah D. , Jameson Andrew P. , Dumkow Lisa E.
Published: February 2025

Objective:

Evaluate prescribing practices and risk factors for treatment failure in obese patients treated for purulent cellulitis with oral antibiotics in the outpatient setting.

Design:

Retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort.

Setting:

Emergency departments, primary care, and urgent care sites throughout Michigan.

Patients:

Adult patients with a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m2 who received ≥ 5 days of oral antibiotics for purulent cellulitis were included. Key exclusion criteria were chronic infections, antibiotic treatment within the past 30 days, and suspected polymicrobial infections.

Methods:

Obese patients receiving oral antibiotics for purulent cellulitis between February 1, 2020, and August 31, 2023, were assessed. The primary objective was to describe outpatient prescribing trends. Secondary objectives included comparing patient risk factors for treatment failure and safety outcomes between patients experiencing treatment success and those experiencing treatment failure.

Results:

Two hundred patients were included (Treatment success, n = 100; Treatment failure, n = 100). Patients received 11 antibiotic regimens with 26 dosing variations; 45.5% were inappropriately dosed. Sixty-seven percent of patients received MRSA-active therapy. Treatment failure was similar between those appropriately dosed (46.4%) versus under-dosed (54.4%) (P = 0.256), those receiving 5–7 days of therapy (47.1%) versus 10–14 days (54.4%) (P = 0.311), and those receiving MRSA-active therapy (52.2%) versus no MRSA therapy (45.5%) (P = 0.367). Patients treated with clindamycin were more likely to experience treatment failure (73.7% vs 47.5%, P = 0.030).

Conclusions:

Nearly half of antimicrobial regimens prescribed for outpatient treatment of cellulitis in patients with obesity were suboptimally prescribed. Opportunities exist to optimize agent selection, dosing, and duration of therapy in this population.
Complete positivity order and relative entropy decay
Authors: Gao Li , Junge Marius , LaRacuente Nicholas , Li Haojian
Published: February 2025

We prove that for a GNS-symmetric quantum Markov semigroup, the complete modified logarithmic Sobolev constant is bounded by the inverse of its complete positivity mixing time. For classical Markov semigroups, this gives a short proof that every sub-Laplacian of a Hörmander system on a compact manifold satisfies a modified log-Sobolev inequality uniformly for scalar and matrix-valued functions. For quantum Markov semigroups, we show that the complete modified logarithmic Sobolev constant is comparable to the spectral gap up to the logarithm of the dimension. Such estimates are asymptotically tight for a quantum birth-death process. Our results, along with the consequence of concentration inequalities, are applicable to GNS-symmetric semigroups on general von Neumann algebras.