bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of urine cytology in detecting high‐grade urothelial carcinoma in patients with neoplastic urinary bladder diverticula: A major cancer center experience
Authors: Alhamar Mohamed , Al‐Ahmadie Hikmat A. , Feratovic Rusmir , Lin Oscar
Published: December 2023

Background

Bladder diverticula are herniations of bladder urothelium and mucosa through the muscularis propria. The reported incidence of neoplasia arising in bladder diverticula is widely variable. The authors’ objective was to study the characteristics and sensitivity of urine cytology in these patients with emphasis on primary intradiverticular bladder cancer (IDBC).

Methods

A 17‐year, retrospective review of all resected bladder diverticula associated with bladder carcinoma was performed. Cases that had complete diverticular resections and preresection urine samples were included in this study. The cases were divided into either primary IDBC or primary extradiverticular bladder cancer (EDBC). Demographic data and urine cytology characteristics were recorded, and sensitivity was calculated. For IDBC, a comparison between voided and cystoscopic urines was done for cases that had both collection methods performed.

Results

Of 70 patients with IDBC, 47 patients had urine cytology results that were either positive for high grade‐urothelial carcinoma (HG‐UC) or suspicious for HG‐UC. The sensitivity for HG‐UC in IDBC samples was 80%, compared with 82% in EDBC samples (p > .05). Also, 28 patients in the IDBC group had both voided and cystoscopic urine samples for comparisons; in seven patients, the voided urine sample yielded a more definitive diagnosis; in 10 patients, the cystoscopic urine sample yielded a more definitive diagnosis; and, in 11 patients, both samples were equally diagnostic (p > .05).

Conclusions

The characteristics and sensitivity of urine cytology in bladder diverticula were investigated in association with neoplasia, with an emphasis on primary intradiverticular bladder cancer. The results indicated that urine cytology remains a reliable screening and diagnostic test for detecting IDBC, with sensitivity similar to that for detecting EDBC, and no significant difference was noted between voided and cystoscopic samples.
A Randomized, Single‐Dose, Parallel‐Controlled Phase 1 Clinical Comparison of an Omalizumab Biosimilar Candidate with Reference Omalizumab in Healthy Chinese Male Volunteers
Authors: Cheng Jie , Wang Chenguang , Xu Jin , Zhao Chunyang , Song Rong , Wang Yijun , Zou Yang , Zhang Xunmin , Shan Yong , Zhou Jian , Jia Jing‐Ying
Published: December 2023

This study evaluated the bioequivalence of omalizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against immunoglobulin‐E (IgE), with one of its biosimilar candidates. The study was designed as a randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐controlled trial. A total of subjects who met the inclusion criteria and did not meet the exclusion criteria were dynamically randomly assigned to receive the test drug or the reference drug with a single subcutaneous injection of 150 mg by the minimization method. The test group and the reference group had similar demographic characteristics and baseline characteristics of total IgE. The 90% confidence interval of the geometric average ratio of the area under the serum concentration–time curve from the time 0 to the time of last quantifiable concentration, the area under the serum concentration curve from time 0 to infinity, and the maximum observed serum concentration between the 2 groups were within 80%‐125%, showing bioequivalence. The changing trend of total and free IgE in the 2 groups was similar after administration, proving the pharmacodynamic similarity. The 2 groups had no significant difference in the positive rate of antidrug antibodies, and the total positive rate of neutralizing antibodies was 0. The incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events and treatment‐related adverse events were similar between the 2 groups, with no serious adverse events. This study shows that the test drug had similar pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and safety to the reference omalizumab in healthy male subjects.
On developing Block‐Chain based Secure Storage Model (BSSM) with auditing and integrity analysis in the cloud
Authors: Apirajitha Pichai Subramanian , Sathianesan Godfrey Winster
Published: December 2023

In present scenario, Cloud Computing is developing vast, as the resources are utilized by many people and provided on‐demand. Recent works on cloud reports the success rates of cyber activities using cloud models for deceptive actions, because of its significant features and lack of apposite forensic models for cloud. For developing a cloud model for forensic support is an important and intricate issue like, directorial and technical challenges due to system distribution, virtualization, and dynamic characteristic of nodes. Considering the issues, this article develops a Block‐chain based Secure Storage Model (BSSM) incorporating Integrity and Auditing Examination Model for evaluating reliability of forensic data and auditing for validation. Moreover, this model effectively works on the domain of Forensic as a Service (FaaS) in cloud. The forensic data are formed into block‐chain for ensuring security. The model also aids in reducing the storage space effectively and the auditing and integrity analysis model incorporated in this work minimizes the dependency of trusts on Cloud Service Provider (CSP). And, the evaluation results show that the proposed model effectively achieves the objective in better way than compared works.
Associations between TNFSF13B polymorphisms and primary Sjögren's syndrome susceptibility in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zheng Anhao , Hu Naiwen , Xu Jing , Yuan Ye , Zhang Shumin , Chen Wenbin , Bai Yanyan , Sun Hongsheng
Published: December 2023

Objective

B‐cell activating factor (BAFF) is a key regulator of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), which is characterized by B‐lymphocyte hyperactivity. BAFF, also known as tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13B, is encoded by TNFSF13B. This study aimed to explore the possible relationships between five single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNFSF13B (rs9514827, rs1041569, rs9514828, rs1224141, and rs12583006) and pSS susceptibility.

Methods

We searched the following databases for articles on TNFSF13B polymorphism and pSS published up to January 2023: PubMed, Cochrane, Elsevier, Web of Science, CNKI, CQVIP, and WanFang. The odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) of genotypes and SNP alleles of TNFSF13B were investigated in patients with pSS to determine their relationships with pSS.

Results

This meta‐analysis employing the fixed‐effect model comprised three studies of pSS patients and randomly selected healthy controls (HCs), revealing statistically significant relationships between pSS susceptibility and two SNPs: rs1041569 and rs12583006. Because rs1041569 was not in Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium in the HC group, it was eliminated from the analysis.

Conclusions

Polymorphisms in the BAFF (TNFSF13B) gene were related to vulnerability to pSS among pSS patients and HCs alike. The SNP rs12583006 was significantly related to pSS susceptibility in pSS patients.
A community‐based dynamic choice model for HIV prevention improves PrEP and PEP coverage in rural Uganda and Kenya: a cluster randomized trial
Authors: Kakande Elijah R. , Ayieko James , Sunday Helen , Biira Edith , Nyabuti Marilyn , Agengo George , Kabami Jane , Aoko Colette , Atuhaire Hellen N. , Sang Norton , Owaranganise Asiphas , Litunya Janice , Mugoma Erick W. , Chamie Gabriel , Peng James , Schrom John , Bacon Melanie C. , Kamya Moses R. , Havlir Diane V. , Petersen Maya L. , Balzer Laura B. ,   for the SEARCH Study Team
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Optimizing HIV prevention may require structured approaches for providing client‐centred choices as well as community‐based entry points and delivery. We evaluated the effect of a dynamic choice model for HIV prevention, delivered by community health workers (CHWs) with clinician support, on the use of biomedical prevention among persons at risk of HIV in rural East Africa.

Methods

We conducted a cluster randomized trial among persons (≥15 years) with current or anticipated HIV risk in 16 villages in Uganda and Kenya (SEARCH; NCT04810650). The intervention was a client‐centred HIV prevention model, including (1) structured client choice of product (pre‐exposure prophylaxis [PrEP] or post‐exposure prophylaxis [PEP]), service location (clinic or out‐of‐clinic) and HIV testing modality (self‐test or rapid test), with the ability to switch over time; (2) a structured assessment of patient barriers and development of a personalized support plan; and (3) phone access to a clinician 24/7. The intervention was delivered by CHWs and supported by clinicians who oversaw PrEP and PEP initiation and monitoring. Participants in control villages were referred to local health facilities for HIV prevention services, delivered by Ministry of Health staff. The primary outcome was biomedical prevention coverage: a proportion of 48‐week follow‐up with self‐reported PrEP or PEP use.

Results

From May to July 2021, we enrolled 429 people (212 intervention; 217 control): 57% women and 35% aged 15–24 years. Among intervention participants, 58% chose PrEP and 58% chose PEP at least once over follow‐up; self‐testing increased from 52% (baseline) to 71% (week 48); ≥98% chose out‐of‐facility service delivery. Among 413 (96%) participants with the primary outcome ascertained, average biomedical prevention coverage was 28.0% in the intervention versus 0.5% in the control: a difference of 27.5% (95% CI: 23.0–31.9%, p<0.001). Impact was larger during periods of self‐reported HIV risk: 36.6% coverage in intervention versus 0.9% in control, a difference of 35.7% (95% CI: 27.5–43.9, p<0.001). Intervention effects were seen across subgroups defined by sex, age group and alcohol use.

Conclusions

A client‐centred dynamic choice HIV prevention intervention, including the option to switch between products and CHW‐based delivery in the community, increased biomedical prevention coverage by 27.5%. However, substantial person‐time at risk of HIV remained uncovered.
Nasal spray of an IgM‐like ACE2 fusion protein HH‐120 prevents SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: Two investigator‐initiated postexposure prophylaxis trials
Authors: Song Rui , Chen Xiaoyou , Li Baoliang , Ni Jun , Zhou Yunao , Zhang Hongbin , Liang Xiao , Zou Liangfeng , Liu Juan , Yang Fang , Li Guangyu , Guo Xiaodi , Liu Zhe , Mao Fengfeng , Lei Cong , Sui Jianhua , Li Wenhui , Jin Ronghua
Published: December 2023

HH‐120, an IgM‐like angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) fusion protein, has been developed as a nasal spray against Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and is currently undergoing human trials. HH‐120 nasal spray was assessed for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) in two investigator‐initiated (NS01 and NS02) trials with different risk levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure. NS01 enrolled family caregiver participants who had continuous contacts with laboratory‐confirmed index cases; NS02 enrolled participants who had general contacts (Part 1) or close contacts (Part 2) with index cases. The primary endpoints were safety and laboratory‐confirmed and/or symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In NS01 trial (14 participants), the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection rates were 25% in the HH‐120 group and 83.3% in the external control group (relative risk reduction [RRR]: 70.0%). In NS02‐Part 1 (193 participants), the infection rates were 4% (HH‐120) versus 11.3% (placebo), symptomatic infection rates were 0.8% versus 3.5%, hence with a RRR of 64.6% and 77.1%, respectively. In Part 2 (76 participants), the infection rates were 17.1% (HH‐120) versus 30.4% (placebo), symptomatic infection rates were 7.5% versus 27.3%, with a RRR of 43.8% and 72.5%, respectively. No HH‐120‐related serious adverse effects were observed. The HH‐120 nasal spray used as PEP was safe and effective in preventing laboratory‐confirmed and symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
A minireview on vermicompost and vermiwash as green pesticide for sustainable crop production: Approaches, applications, and advancements
Authors: Singh Tanvi , Kapila Rachna , Kumar Maheep
Published: December 2023

Indiscriminate use of chemicals is the main cause of reduction in crop yield as well as certain serious diseases. There is an increased demand of organic substitutes which can be met by production of technology that involves the use of organic and environment friendly fertilizers. Vermicompost and vermiwash are suitable substitute for chemical fertilizer. In vermicomposting, organic matter is exposed to bacteria and enzymes of earthworm gut that alter the nutritive constituents and provide the unique consistency and property to vermicompost, also the derived leachate is vermiwash. Chemically, they consist of mucous, proteins, hormones, enzymes, macronutrients, micronutrients, and several microorganisms. Vermicompost and vermiwash hold immense potential for sustainable crop production by the application as fertilizer, biopesticide and disease control, food security, enhancing salinity tolerance as well as in allied fields. This technology is also undergoing advancements with the progression of science and technology. This review focusses on the approaches for preparing vermicompost and vermiwash, applications in the field of sustainable crop production and others as well as advancements in this technology.
Effects of different culture modes on the storage quality of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) fillets at 4°C
Authors: Zhao Dongya , Luo Tao , Liu Yuqiao , Shu Rui , Hong Hui , Luo Yongkang , Tan Yuqing
Published: December 2023

Background

With tilapia's increasing production and aquaculture modes' diversity, container culture's effect on fish storage quality remains unclear. Fish storage quality is related to different attributes such as organoleptic, microbiological, and physiochemical qualities. The alterations of the sensory, microbiological, and physiochemical quality of container and pond‐cultured tilapia stored at 4°C were studied to investigate the effect of container culture mode on the quality of tilapia during storage.

Results

During storage, the TVC of pond‐cultured tilapia was higher than container‐cultured tilapia at 3–5 days. On 3rd day, the K value was higher in pond‐cultured tilapia, while container‐cultured tilapia had significantly higher IMP content. By 5th day, pond‐cultured tilapia had higher pH, while container‐cultured tilapia had a lower redness–greenness value. On 9th day, HxR content was higher in pond‐cultured tilapia. Shewanella was the main spoilage microbe in pond‐cultured tilapia, while Pseudomonas dominated in container‐cultured tilapia. On 11th day, histamine content was significantly higher in pond‐cultured tilapia.

Conclusions

Results indicated that compared with pond‐cultured tilapia, container‐cultured tilapia performs better due to lower pH. The difference in microbial community composition between the two groups may be related to water quality. Overall, container culture is a potential method which is comparable to pond culture.
Left‐definite system of first‐order equations together with eigenparameter‐dependent boundary conditions
Authors: Uğurlu Ekin
Published: December 2023

This paper provides some information on the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of some left‐definite system of first‐order differential equations subject to eigenparameter‐dependent boundary conditions. Namely, we show that the pair of solutions of the system of equations satisfying some initial conditions exists and is unique, and this pair is analytic in the spectral parameter of order 1/2. We also introduce Lagrange's formula for the left‐definite equation. Using some Prüfer angels, we investigate oscillation of zeros of eigenfunctions and asymptotics equations for the eigenvalues of the problem. Moreover, we share some ordinary and Fréchet derivatives of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions with respect to some elements of data.
Effects of bilateral repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on prospective memory in patients with schizophrenia: A double‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Xue Fen , Wang Xin‐Fu , Kong Fan‐Ni , Yin Tian‐Lu , Wang Yu‐Hong , Shi Li‐Da , Liu Xiao‐Wen , Yu Hui‐Jing , Liu Li‐Jun , Zhu Ping , Qi Xiao‐Xue , Xu Xue‐Jing , Hu Hong‐Pu , Li Su‐Xia
Published: December 2023

Aims

To investigate effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the prospective memory (PM) in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ).

Methods

Fifty of 71 patients completed this double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomized trial and compared with 18 healthy controls' (HCs) PM outcomes. Bilateral 20 Hz rTMS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex at 90% RMT administered 5 weekdays for 4 weeks for a total of 20 treatments. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS), the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and PM test were assessed before and after treatment.

Results

Both Event‐based PM (EBPM) and Time‐based PM (TBPM) scores at baseline were significantly lower in patients with SCZ than that in HCs. After rTMS treatments, the scores of EBPM in patients with SCZ was significantly improved and had no differences from that in HCs, while the scores of TBPM did not improved. The negative symptom scores on PANSS and the scores of almost all subscales and total scores of SANS were significantly improved in both groups.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that bilateral high‐frequency rTMS treatment can alleviate EBPM but not TBPM in patients with SCZ, as well as improve the negative symptoms. Significance: Our results provide one therapeutic option for PM in patients with SCZ.
Monogenic conditions and central nervous system anomalies: A prospective study, systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Blayney Gillian V. , Laffan Eoghan , Jacob Preethi A. , Baptiste Caitlin D. , Gabriel Heinz , Sparks Teresa N. , Yaron Yuval , Norton Mary E. , Diderich Karin , Wang Yiming , Chong Karen , Chitayat David , Saini Neelam , Aggarwal Shagun , Pauta Montse , Borrell Antoni , Gilmore Kelly , Chandler Natalie J. , Allen Stephanie , Vora Neeta , Noor Abdul , Monaghan Caitriona , Kilby Mark D. , Wapner Ronald J. , Chitty Lyn S. , Mone Fionnuala
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Determine the incremental diagnostic yield of prenatal exome sequencing (pES) over chromosome microarray (CMA) or G‐banding karyotype in fetuses with central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities.

Methods

Data were collected via electronic searches from January 2010 to April 2022 in MEDLINE, Cochrane, Web of Science and EMBASE. The NHS England prenatal exome cohort was also included. Incremental yield was calculated as a pooled value using a random‐effects model.

Results

Thirty studies were included (n = 1583 cases). The incremental yield with pES for any CNS anomaly was 32% [95%CI 27%–36%; I2 = 72%]. Subgroup analysis revealed apparent incremental yields in; (a) isolated CNS anomalies; 27% [95%CI 19%–34%; I2 = 74%]; (b) single CNS anomaly; 16% [95% CI 10%–23%; I2 = 41%]; (c) more than one CNS anomaly; 31% [95% Cl 21%–40%; I2 = 56%]; and (d) the anatomical subtype with the most optimal yield was Type 1 malformation of cortical development, related to abnormal cell proliferation or apoptosis, incorporating microcephalies, megalencephalies and dysplasia; 40% (22%–57%; I2 = 68%). The commonest syndromes in isolated cases were Lissencephaly 3 and X‐linked hydrocephalus.

Conclusions

Prenatal exome sequencing provides a high incremental diagnostic yield in fetuses with CNS abnormalities with optimal yields in cases with multiple CNS anomalies, particularly those affecting the midline, posterior fossa and cortex.
Postnatal outcome of children with antenatal colonic hyperechogenicity
Authors: Fuchs Florent , Rodriguez Alexis , Mousty Eve , Morin Denis , Roubertie Agathe , Wells Constance F. , Prodhomme Olivier , Benoist Jean‐François , Dreux Sophie , Faure Jean‐Michel , Willems Marjolaine
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate the postnatal outcome of children with antenatal colonic hyperechogenicity, currently considered as a sign of lysinuria‐cystinuria, but which may also be a sign of other disorders with a more severe prognosis.

Method

We carried out a French multi‐centric retrospective study via 15 Multidisciplinary Center for Prenatal Diagnosis from January 2011 to January 2021. We included pregnancies for which fetal colonic hyperechogenicity had been demonstrated. We collected the investigations performed during pregnancy and at birth as well as the main clinical features of the mother and the child. We then established the prevalence of pathologies such as lysinuria‐cystinuria (LC), hypotonia‐cystinuria syndrome (HC), or lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI).

Results

Among the 33 cases of colonic hyperechogenicity collected, and after exclusion of those lost to follow‐up, we identified 63% of children with lysinuria‐cystinuria, 8% with lysinuric rotein intolerance, and 4% with hypotonia‐cystinuria syndrome.

Conclusion

Management of prenatal hyperechoic colon should include a specialized consultation with a clinical geneticist to discuss further investigations, which could include invasive amniotic fluid sampling for molecular diagnosis. A better understanding of diagnoses and prognosis should improve medical counseling and guide parental decision making.
Enabling Internal Electric Field in Heterogeneous Nanosheets to Significantly Accelerate Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis
Authors: Chen Lei , Wang Hao−Yu , Tian Wen−Wen , Wang Lei , Sun Ming−Lei , Ren Jin−Tao , Yuan Zhong−Yong
Published: December 2023

Efficient bifunctional hydrogen electrocatalysis, encompassing both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), is of paramount significance in advancing hydrogen‐based societies. While non‐precious‐metal‐based catalysts, particularly those based on nickel (Ni), are essential for alkaline HER/HOR, their intrinsic catalytic activity often falls short of expectations. Herein, an internal electric field (IEF) strategy is introduced for the engineering of heterogeneous nickel‐vanadium oxide nanosheet arrays grown on porous nickel foam (Ni‐V2O3/PNF) as bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen electrocatalysis. Strikingly, the Ni‐V2O3/PNF delivers 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 54 mV for HER and a mass‐specific kinetic current of 19.3 A g−1 at an overpotential of 50 mV for HOR, placing it on par with the benchmark 20% Pt/C, while exhibiting enhanced stability in alkaline electrolytes. Density functional theory calculations, in conjunction with experimental characterizations, unveil that the interface IEF effect fosters asymmetrical charge distributions, which results in more thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption Gibbs free energy on the electron‐deficient Ni side, thus elevating the overall efficiency of both HER and HOR. The discoveries reported herein guidance are provided for further understanding and designing efficient non‐precious‐metal‐based electrocatalysts through the IEF strategy.
Precursor Induced Assembly of Si Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Graphene/Carbon Matrices and the Influence of Al2O3 Coating on their Properties as Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Haowei , Wang Zongyu , Dang Liyan , Yu Kailun , Yang Rui , Fu Aiping , Liu Xuehua , Guo Yu‐Guo , Li Hongliang
Published: December 2023

The theoretical capacity of pristine silicon as anodes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) can reach up to 4200 mAh g−1, however, the low electrical conductivity and the huge volume expansion limit their practical application. To address this challenge, a precursor strategy has been explored to induce the curling of graphene oxide (GO) flakes and the enclosing of Si nanoparticles by selecting protonated chitosan as both assembly inducer and carbon precursor. The Si nanoparticles are dispersed first in a slurry of GO by ball milling, then the resulting dispersion is dried by a spray drying process to achieve instantaneous solution evaporation and compact encapsulation of silicon particles with GO. An Al2O3 layer is constructed on the surface of Si@rGO@C‐SD composites by the atomic layer deposition method to modify the solid electrolyte interface. This strategy enhances obviously the electrochemical performance of the Si as anode for LIBs, including excellent long‐cycle stability of 930 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1000 mA g−1, satisfied initial Coulomb efficiency of 76.7%, and high rate ability of 806 mAh g−1 at 5000 mA g−1. This work shows a potential solution to the shortcomings of Si‐based anodes and provides meaningful insights for constructing high‐energy anodes for LIBs.
Metal‐Phenolic Network Directed Coating of Single Probiotic Cell Followed by Photoinitiated Thiol‐Ene Click Fortification to Enhance Oral Therapy
Authors: Fang Taisong , Liu Songbai
Published: December 2023

Probiotics‐based oral therapy has become a promising way to prevent and treat various diseases, while the application of probiotics is primarily restricted by loss of viability due to adverse conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract during oral delivery. Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) single‐cell encapsulation approaches are widely employed to improve the bioavailability of probiotics. However, they are generally time‐ and labor‐intensive owing to multistep operation. Herein, a simple yet efficient LbL technique is developed to coat a model probiotic named Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) through polyphenol‐Ca2+ network directed allyl‐modified gelatin (GelAGE) adsorption followed by cross‐linking of GelAGE via photoinitiated thiol‐ene click reaction to protect EcN from harsh microenvironments of GI tract. LbL single‐cell encapsulation can be performed within 1 h through simple operation. It is revealed that coated EcN exhibits significantly improved viability against acidic gastric fluid and bile salts, and enhanced colonization in the intestinal tract without loss of proliferation capabilities. Furthermore, oral therapy of coated EcN remarkably relieves the pathological symptoms associated with colitis in mice including down‐regulating inflammation, repairing epithelial barriers, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and restoring the homeostasis of gut microbiota. This simplified LbL coating strategy has great potential for various probiotics‐mediated biomedical and nutraceutical applications.
Automating CAR‐T Transfection with Micro and Nano‐Technologies
Authors: Hu Tianmu , Kumar Arun RK , Luo Yikai , Tay Andy
Published: December 2023

Cancer poses a significant health challenge, with traditional treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy often lacking in cell specificity and long‐term curative potential. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR‐T) therapy,utilizing genetically engineered T cells to target cancer cells, is a promising alternative. However, its high cost limits widespread application. CAR‐T manufacturing process encompasses three stages: cell isolation and activation, transfection, and expansion.While the first and last stages have straightforward, commercially available automation technologies, the transfection stage lags behind. Current automated transfection relies on viral vectors or bulk electroporation, which have drawbacks such as limited cargo capacity and significant cell disturbance. Conversely, micro and nano‐tool methods offer higher throughput and cargo flexibility, yet their automation remains underexplored.In this perspective, the progress in micro and nano‐engineering tools for CAR‐T transfection followed by a discussion to automate them is described. It is anticipated that this work can inspire the community working on micro and nano transfection techniques to examine how their protocols can be automated to align with the growing interest in automating CAR‐T manufacturing.
Consequences of a stabilizing field’s self-interactions for RS cosmology
Authors: Mishra Rashmish K. , Randall Lisa
Published: December 2023

Abstract

It has been argued that the Randall-Sundrum (RS) phase transition rate is suppressed when the holographic theory corresponds to a large N Yang-Mills and when the stabilizing field has a small mass. Here we argue that self-interactions can alleviate the latter suppression. We consider a cubic term in the bulk potential for the Goldberger-Wise (GW) scalar that is responsible for stabilizing the RS geometry. Adding a cubic term suffices to separate the two roles of the GW stabilization: generating a large hierarchy and triggering confinement. We study the resulting radion potential and the dynamics of the early universe phase transition. For a negative coefficient of the cubic term, the effect of the cubic becomes important in the infra-red, and the resulting radion potential is deeper, thereby increasing the radion mass while maintaining a large hierarchy. Staying within the radion effective field theory, we calculate the rate of bubble nucleation from the hot phase to the confined RS phase, both in thin and thick wall limits. The cubic term enhances the rate and allows relaxing the condition on the maximum number of colors Nmax of the dual theory for which the phase transition can be completed. Importantly, this reduces the amount of supercooling that the false vacuum undergoes, increases the peak frequency of the gravitational waves (GW) produced from bubble collisions, and reduces the strength of the GW signal. The reduced GW signal is however still within the reach of proposed space-based GW detectors.
Enhancement of silicon sub-bandgap photodetection by helium-ion implantation
Authors: Wang Zhao , Wen Xiaolei , Zou Kai , Meng Yun , Zeng Jinwei , Wang Jian , Hu Huan , Hu Xiaolong
Published: December 2023

Silicon sub-bandgap photodetectors can detect light at the infrared telecommunication wavelengths but with relatively weak photo-response. In this work, we demonstrate the enhancement of sub-bandgap photodetection in silicon by helium-ion implantation, without affecting the transparency that is an important beneficial feature of this type of photodetectors. With an implantation dose of 1 × 1013 ions/cm2, the minimal detectable optical power can be improved from − 33.2 to − 63.1 dBm, or, by 29.9 dB, at the wavelength of 1550 nm, and the photo-response at the same optical power (− 10 dBm) can be enhanced by approximately 18.8 dB. Our work provides a method for strategically modifying the intrinsic trade-off between transparency and strong photo-responses of this type of photodetectors.

Graphical Abstract
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Professional Attitudes of Medical Students: A Pre-Post-Like Study
Authors: Ma Shuli , Ge Jie , Qi Yanbo , Du Linlin , Han Yunfeng , Xie Zhiping , Li Xingsan , Li Hongjie , Chen Zhe , Chen Xiaoting , Tang Xiaowei , Li Jiyuan , Li Jiping , Xiao Qiong , Wu Yu , Gao Ying , Li Wenting , Liu Lei , Jia Yuehui
Published: December 2023

Objective:

This study assesses the difference in professional attitudes among medical students, both before and after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and identifies the determinants closely associated with it, while providing precise and scientific evidence for implementing precision education on such professional attitudes.

Methods:

A pre-post-like study was conducted among medical students in 31 provinces in mainland China, from March 23, to April 19, 2021.

Results:

The proportion of medical students whose professional attitudes were disturbed after the COVID-19 pandemic, was significantly lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic (χ2 = 15.6216; P < 0.0001). Compared with the “undisturbed -undisturbed” group, the “undisturbed-disturbed” group showed that there was a 1.664-fold risk of professional attitudes disturbed as grade increased, 3.269-fold risk when others suggested they choose a medical career rather than their own desire, and 7.557-fold risk for students with COVID-19 in their family, relatives, or friends; while the “disturbed-undisturbed” group showed that students with internship experience for professional attitudes strengthened was 2.933-fold than those without internship experience.

Conclusions:

The professional attitudes of medical students have been strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results provide evidence of the importance of education on professional attitudes among medical students during public health emergencies.
Introduction
Authors: Popp Andrew
Published: December 2023

Welcome to Volume 24, No. 4 of Enterprise and Society. There is a slight deviation from tradition for this issue this year. As is well-known, the final issue of the year typically carries both the Presidential Address, delivered at the annual meeting in the spring, as well as summaries by all Krooss Prize finalists. Those of you able to attend the annual meeting in Detroit in March 2023 will have been spellbound by Dan Wadhwani’s Presidential Address, which wove together strands of his rich historical entrepreneurship scholarship with threads of his own fascinating family story. Converting such a personal address, combined with the continuous uncovering of materials, has involved intricate ongoing work. Dan and I have agreed to hold his address back to give him the opportunity to write the piece he really wants to write. Personally, I cannot wait to read it.
An analytical model of momentum availability for predicting large wind farm power
Authors: Kirby Andrew , Dunstan Thomas D. , Nishino Takafumi
Published: December 2023

Turbine–wake and farm–atmosphere interactions influence wind farm power production. For large offshore farms, the farm–atmosphere interaction is usually the more significant effect. This study proposes an analytical model of the ‘momentum availability factor’ to predict the impact of farm–atmosphere interactions. It models the effects of net advection, pressure gradient forcing and turbulent entrainment, using steady quasi-one-dimensional flow assumptions. Turbulent entrainment is modelled by assuming self-similar vertical shear stress profiles. We used the model with the ‘two-scale momentum theory’ to predict the power of large finite-sized farms. The model compared well with existing results of large-eddy simulations of finite wind farms in conventionally neutral boundary layers. The model captured most of the effects of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height on farm performance by considering the undisturbed vertical shear stress profile of the ABL as an input. In particular, the model predicted the power of staggered wind farms with a typical error of 5 % or less. The developed model provides a novel way of predicting instantly the power of large wind farms, including the farm blockage effects. A further simplification of the model to predict analytically the ‘wind extractability factor’ is also presented. This study provides a novel framework for modelling farm–atmosphere interactions. Future studies can use the framework to better model large wind farms.
Transition to turbulence in viscoelastic channel flow of dilute polymer solutions
Authors: Martinez Ibarra Alexia , Park Jae Sung
Published: December 2023

The transition to turbulence in a plane Poiseuille flow of dilute polymer solutions is studied by direct numerical simulations of a finitely extensible nonlinear elastic fluid with the Peterlin closure. The range of Reynolds number (

$Re$

)

$2000 \le Re \le 5000$

is studied but with the same level of elasticity in viscoelastic flows. The evolution of a finite-amplitude perturbation and its effects on the transition dynamics are investigated. A viscoelastic flow begins transition at an earlier time than its Newtonian counterparts, but the transition time appears to be insensitive to polymer concentration in the dilute and semi-dilute regimes studied. Increasing polymer concentration, however, decreases the maximum attainable energy growth during the transition process. The critical or minimum perturbation amplitude required to trigger transition is computed. Interestingly, both Newtonian and viscoelastic flows follow almost the same power-law scaling of

$Re^\gamma$

with the critical exponent

$\gamma \approx -1.25$

, which is in close agreement with previous studies. However, a shift downward is observed for viscoelastic flow, suggesting that smaller perturbation amplitudes are required for the transition. A mechanism of the early transition is investigated by the evolution of wall-normal and spanwise velocity fluctuations and flow structure. The early growth of these fluctuations and the formation of quasi-streamwise vortices around low-speed streaks are promoted by polymers, hence causing an early transition. These vortical structures are found to support the critical exponent

$\gamma \approx -1.25$

. Once the transition process is completed, polymers play a role in dampening the wall-normal and spanwise velocity fluctuations and vortices to attain a drag-reduced state in viscoelastic turbulent flows.
Spinoza's Early Modern Eudaimonism: Corporeal and Intellectual Flourishing
Authors: Smith Brandon
Published: December 2023

This article explores Spinoza's distinctive contribution to the eudaimonistic tradition, which considers happiness (eudaimonia) to be the highest good. Most (if not all) ancient eudaimonists endorse some sort of hierarchy between mind and body, where one is always dependent on, or subordinate to, the other. In particular, many of them endorse ethical intellectualism, where mental things are considered more valuable than bodily ones. I argue that Spinoza, in contrast, considers mind and body ontologically and ethically identical and equal, thereby bringing something new to this ethical tradition.
Deep neural networks are not a single hypothesis but a language for expressing computational hypotheses
Authors: Golan Tal , Taylor JohnMark , Schütt Heiko , Peters Benjamin , Sommers Rowan P. , Seeliger Katja , Doerig Adrien , Linton Paul , Konkle Talia , van Gerven Marcel , Kording Konrad , Richards Blake , Kietzmann Tim C. , Lindsay Grace W. , Kriegeskorte Nikolaus
Published: December 2023

An ideal vision model accounts for behavior and neurophysiology in both naturalistic conditions and designed lab experiments. Unlike psychological theories, artificial neural networks (ANNs) actually perform visual tasks and generate testable predictions for arbitrary inputs. These advantages enable ANNs to engage the entire spectrum of the evidence. Failures of particular models drive progress in a vibrant ANN research program of human vision.
A deep new look at color
Authors: de Vries Jelmer Philip , Flachot Alban , Morimoto Takuma , Gegenfurtner Karl R.
Published: December 2023

Bowers et al. counter deep neural networks (DNNs) as good models of human visual perception. From our color perspective we feel their view is based on three misconceptions: A misrepresentation of the state-of-the-art of color perception; the type of model required to move the field forward; and the attribution of shortcomings to DNN research that are already being resolved.
Explananda and explanantia in deep neural network models of neurological network functions
Authors: Moldoveanu Mihnea
Published: December 2023

Depending on what we mean by “explanation,” challenges to the explanatory depth and reach of deep neural network models of visual and other forms of intelligent behavior may need revisions to both the elementary building blocks of neural nets (the explananda) and to the ways in which experimental environments and training protocols are engineered (the explanantia). The two paths assume and imply sharply different conceptions of how an explanation explains and of the explanatory function of models.
Why psychologists should embrace rather than abandon DNNs
Authors: Yovel Galit , Abudarham Naphtali
Published: December 2023

Deep neural networks (DNNs) are powerful computational models, which generate complex, high-level representations that were missing in previous models of human cognition. By studying these high-level representations, psychologists can now gain new insights into the nature and origin of human high-level vision, which was not possible with traditional handcrafted models. Abandoning DNNs would be a huge oversight for psychological sciences.
Thinking beyond the ventral stream: Comment on Bowers et al.
Authors: Summerfield Christopher , Thompson Jessica A. F.
Published: December 2023

Bowers et al. rightly emphasise that deep learning models often fail to capture constraints on visual perception that have been discovered by previous research. However, the solution is not to discard deep learning altogether, but to design stimuli and tasks that more closely reflect the problems that biological vision evolved to solve, such as understanding scenes and preparing skilled action.
You can't play 20 questions with nature and win redux
Authors: Love Bradley C. , Mok Robert M.
Published: December 2023

An incomplete science begets imperfect models. Nevertheless, the target article advocates for jettisoning deep-learning models with some competency in object recognition for toy models evaluated against a checklist of laboratory findings; an approach which evokes Alan Newell's 20 questions critique. We believe their approach risks incoherency and neglects the most basic test; can the model perform its intended task.
Implications of capacity-limited, generative models for human vision
Authors: German Joseph Scott , Jacobs Robert A.
Published: December 2023

Although discriminative deep neural networks are currently dominant in cognitive modeling, we suggest that capacity-limited, generative models are a promising avenue for future work. Generative models tend to learn both local and global features of stimuli and, when properly constrained, can learn componential representations and response biases found in people's behaviors.
Statistical prediction alone cannot identify good models of behavior
Authors: Srivastava Nisheeth , Sifar Anjali , Srinivasan Narayanan
Published: December 2023

The dissociation between statistical prediction and scientific explanation advanced by Bowers et al. for studies of vision using deep neural networks is also observed in several other domains of behavior research, and is in fact unavoidable when fitting large models such as deep nets and other supervised learners, with weak theoretical commitments, to restricted samples of highly stochastic behavioral phenomena.
The role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in bilingual language switching and non-linguistic task-switching: Evidence from multi-voxel pattern analysis
Authors: Vaughn Kelly A. , Tamber-Rosenau Benjamin J. , Hernandez Arturo E.
Published: December 2023

Previous research suggests that bilingual language control requires domain-general cognitive control. Recent research suggests that exploration of individual differences is key for understanding the relationship between bilingual language control and cognitive control. The current study used multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to examine within-subject patterns of fMRI activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during bilingual language switching and non-linguistic task-switching. We hypothesized that bilinguals would have identifiable, within-subject patterns of DLPFC activity for both types of switching and that bilinguals and monolinguals would differ in patterns of DLPFC activity for task-switching. We were unable to identify patterns of DLPFC activity associated with bilingual language switching. Task-switching was related to patterns of left DLPFC activity for both bilinguals and monolinguals, and there were identifiable patterns of right DLPFC activity for the bilinguals only. These findings suggest that the DLPFC is not the key brain structure connecting bilingual language and task-switching.
Social groups and polarization of aesthetic values from symmetry and complexity
Authors: Mather Kathleen B. , Aleem Hassan , Rhee Yewon , Grzywacz Norberto M.
Published: December 2023

When deciding what images we prefer, our brain must weigh many aesthetic variables, such as symmetry and complexity. To date, aesthetic research has mainly focused on investigating one variable at a time. In this article, we use symmetry and complexity to study the problem of multi aesthetic-variable interactions. For symmetry and complexity, there are two simple interaction hypotheses. The independence hypothesis proposes that the evaluation of aesthetic variables is mutually independent. Meanwhile, Birkhoff’s aesthetic-measure hypothesis predicts that people prefer images high in symmetry and low in complexity, and dislike the opposite. To test these hypotheses, we generated images that systematically varied in levels of symmetry and complexity. We then compared the subjects’ preference maps to identify regions of likes and dislikes. Unlike the predictions from these hypotheses, we found that most, but not all subjects, formed two distinct natural clusters, termed “islands,” in terms of likes and dislikes. We also found that people with more art exposure were less likely to belong to an island. If someone did belong to an island, their gender influenced which cluster they belonged to. We discuss alternate hypotheses, possible mechanisms for the occurrence of islands, and their possible social implications.
Nonequilibrium phase transition of a one dimensional system reaches the absorbing state by two different ways
Authors: Saif M. Ali
Published: December 2023

We study the nonequilibrium phase transitions from the absorbing phase to the active phase for the model of diseases spreading (Susceptible-Infected-Refractory-Susceptible (SIRS)) on a regular one-dimensional lattice. In this model, particles of three species (S, I, and R) on a lattice react as follows: $$S+I\rightarrow 2I$$

S
+
I
→
2
I

with probability $$\lambda $$
λ
, $$I\rightarrow R$$

I
→
R

after infection time $$\tau _I$$

τ
I

and $$R\rightarrow I$$

R
→
I

after recovery time $$\tau _R$$

τ
R

. In the case of $$\tau _R>\tau _I$$

τ
R

>

τ
I

, this model has been found to have two critical thresholds separating the active phase from absorbing phases. The first critical threshold $$\lambda _{c1}$$

λ

c
1

corresponds to a low infection probability and the second critical threshold $$\lambda _{c2}$$

λ

c
2

corresponds to a high infection probability. At the first critical threshold $$\lambda _{c1}$$

λ

c
1

, our Monte Carlo simulations of this model suggest the phase transition to be of directed percolation class (DP). However, at the second critical threshold $$\lambda _{c2}$$

λ

c
2

we observe that the system becomes so sensitive to initial values conditions which suggest the phase transition to be a discontinuous transition. We confirm this result using order parameter quasistationary probability distribution and finite-size analysis for this model at $$\lambda _{c2}$$

λ

c
2

.
Two-dimensional CsPbI3/CsPbBr3 vertical heterostructure: a potential photovoltaic absorber
Authors: Patel Manushi J. , Som Narayan N. , Gupta Sanjeev K. , Gajjar P. N.
Published: December 2023

First-principles methods have been employed here to calculate structural, electronic and optical properties of CsPbI3 and CsPbBr3, in monolayer and heterostructure (HS) (PbI2-CsBr (HS1), CsI-CsBr (HS2), CsI-PbBr2 (HS3) and PbI2-PbBr2 (HS4)) configurations. Imaginary frequencies are absent in phonon dispersion curves of CsPbI3 and CsPbBr3 monolayers which depicts their dynamical stability. Values of interfacial binding energies signifies stability of our simulated heterostructures. The CsPbI3 monolayer, CsPbBr3 monolayer, HS1, HS2, HS3 and HS4 possess direct bandgap of 2.19 eV, 2.73 eV, 2.41 eV, 2.11 eV, 1.88 eV and 2.07 eV, respectively. In the HS3, interface interactions between its constituent monolayers causes substantial decrease in its resultant bandgap which suggests its solar cell applications. Static dielectric constants of all simulated heterostructures are higher when compared to those of pristine monolayers which demonstrates that these heterostructures possess low charge carrier recombination rate. In optical absorption plots of materials, the plot of HS3 displayed a red shift and depicted absorption of a substantial part of visible spectrum. Later on, via Shockley-Queisser limit we have calculated solar cell parameters of all the reported structures. The calculations showed that HS2, HS3 and HS4 showcased enhanced power conversion efficiency compared to CsPbI3 and CsPbBr3 monolayers when utilized as an absorber layer in solar cells.