bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustained underweight in rural areas and emergence of overweight in urban Ethiopian women: a multivariate analysis of EDHS data 2000–2016
Authors: Tareke Amare Abera , Alem Addis , Debebe Wondwossen , Zerfu Taddese Alemu
Published: July 2024

A growing body of evidence indicates the emergence of overweight/obesity in developing countries before the battle against undernutrition has been won. We conducted this study to quantify the reduction of underweight and the emergence of overweight among Ethiopian women from 2000 to 2016 and evaluate factors explaining the progress. We used the four Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (2000–2016) to analyze body mass index (BMI) trends among women. Data from 43,815 non-pregnant, non-puerperal reproductive-age women was used to evaluate the linear change in BMI and changes in the percentage of overweight and underweight over time. Using multivariate decomposition analysis of change in underweight and overweight percentages, we identified sources of change in BMI in the past 16 years of the survey periods. The BMI of Ethiopian reproductive-age women increased by 0.88 kg/m2 from 2000 to 2016. The increment was pronounced in urban areas with 1.46 kg/m2. There has been a significant reduction in underweight women since 2000 (p-value < 0.001), and 87.62% of the changes were attributed to behavioral changes toward weight management. And there was a significant upswing in overweight women from 2000 to 2016 (p-value < 0.001) as well. A compositional change of factors including region, women’s age, women’s educational status, religion, type of place of residence, and use of contraceptives contributed to 57.51% of the observed increment in the percentage of overweight women. A relatively slow decrease in underweight and an increment in overweight have been observed. This progress can be disaggregated into persistent underweight in the rural and poorest, and swift development of overweight in the urban and richest communities. Targeted nutrition interventions for both underweight and overweight women are mandatory. Nutritional interventions in Ethiopia should focus on behavioral change to reduce hunger and malnutrition as well as to avert the emergence of overweight or obesity in the affected communities.
Preparatory activity of anterior insula predicts conflict errors: integrating convolutional neural networks and neural mass models
Authors: Kaboodvand Neda , Karimi Hanie , Iravani Behzad
Published: July 2024

Preparatory brain activity is a cornerstone of proactive cognitive control, a top-down process optimizing attention, perception, and inhibition, fostering cognitive flexibility and adaptive attention control in the human brain. In this study, we proposed a neuroimaging-informed convolutional neural network model to predict cognitive control performance from the baseline pre-stimulus preparatory electrophysiological activity of core cognitive control regions. Particularly, combined with perturbation-based occlusion sensitivity analysis, we pinpointed regions with the most predictive preparatory activity for proactive cognitive control. We found that preparatory arrhythmic broadband neural dynamics in the right anterior insula, right precentral gyrus, and the right opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus (posterior ventrolateral prefrontal cortex), are highly predictive of prospective cognitive control performance.  The pre-stimulus preparatory activity in these regions corresponds to readiness for conflict detection, inhibitory control, and overall elaborate attentional processing. We integrated the convolutional neural network with biologically inspired Jansen-Rit neural mass model to investigate neurostimulation effects on cognitive control. High-frequency stimulation (130 Hz) of the left anterior insula provides significant cognitive enhancement, especially in reducing conflict errors, despite the right anterior insula’s higher predictive value for prospective cognitive control performance. Thus, effective neurostimulation targets may differ from regions showing biomarker activity. Finally, we validated our theoretical finding by evaluating intrinsic neuromodulation through neurofeedback-guided volitional control in an independent dataset. We found that left anterior insula was intrinsically modulated in real-time by volitional control of emotional valence, but not arousal. Our findings further highlight central role of anterior insula in orchestrating proactive cognitive control processes, positioning it at the top of hierarchy for cognitive control.
Comparison of safety of general anesthesia and intravenous sedation during third-molar extraction surgery
Authors: Park Se-Ung , Kim Taewoo , Do Jiwon , Cho Mincheul , An Jung-Sub , Karm Myong-Hwan
Published: July 2024

This study compared the safety of general anesthesia (GA) and intravenous sedation (IVS) in patients who underwent extraction of one or more third molars. Data from 1260 patients (GA group, n = 1043; IVS group, n = 217) were retrospectively analyzed, including demographics, preoperative data, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters (blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation level), and medications administered intraoperatively and postoperatively. The incidence of intraoperative circulatory variations, surgery and anesthesia durations, postoperative complications, and medication use were assessed and compared. The GA group had longer anesthesia and surgery durations, a higher incidence of hypotension, and a higher frequency of postoperative analgesic use than the IVS group. Dexmedetomidine was the most frequently used sedative agent. The IVS group had a lower incidence of intraoperative hypotension but they had a higher need for vasopressors in the recovery room. Both anesthesia methods maintained satisfactory oxygen saturation levels and sufficient anesthesia throughout the procedure, but they showed different characteristics regarding the duration of surgery and anesthesia duration, hemodynamic stability, and postoperative analgesic needs. IVS may be preferable for patients at risk of cardiovascular complications such as hypotension or tachycardia during surgery.
Model of yearly transition to severe trachomatous scarring and trichiasis in a cohort of women in Kongwa Tanzania
Authors: West Sheila K. , Hazel Ashley , Munoz Beatriz , Wolle Meraf A. , Mkocha Harran , Porco Travis C.
Published: July 2024

One criterion for validation of trachoma elimination is the management of Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) after Trachoma inflammation—follicular (TF) is eliminated in children ages 1–9 years at district level. No data exist on how long countries must have dedicated TT programs, as the timeline for progression to TT from trachomatous scarring is unknown. We used eight years of longitudinal data in women in Kongwa Tanzania to model progression from no scarring (S0) through grades of scarring severity (S1–S4) to TT. Markov models were used, with age, community prevalence of TF (CPTF), and household characteristics as co-variates. Adjusted for covariates, the incidence of S1 was estimated at 4∙7% per year, and the risk increased by 26% if the CPTF was between 5–10% and by 48% if greater than 10%. The transition from S4 to TT was estimated at 2∙6% per year. Districts, even after elimination of TF, may have some communities with TF ≥ 5% and increased risk of incident scarring. Once scarring progresses to S2, further progression is not dependent on CPTF. These data suggest that, depending on the district level of scarring and degree of heterogeneity in CPTF at the time of elimination, incident TT will still be an issue for decades.
Novel lignin α-O-4 derived hydrogen donors in CQ-based photoinitiating systems for dental resins
Authors: Xu Lixia , Zhang Ying , Jin Shuqi , Luo Shuxin , Chen Kailun , Fang Sheng , Zhong Liangjun , Zhang Jian , He Rui
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this work is to explore the properties of the lignin-derived amine-free photoinitiating systems (PISs) during the curing process. Four novel hydrogen donors (HD1, HD2, HD3, and HD4) derived from lignin α-O-4 structural were designed and synthesized by simple methods, and their low C–H bond dissociation energies on methylene were determined by molecular orbitals theory. Four experimental groups using CQ (camphorquinone)/HD PIs formulated with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (70 w%/30 w%) were compared to CQ/EDB (ethyl 4-dimethylamino benzoate) system. The photopolymerization profiles and double bond conversion rate was tracked by FTIR experiments; the color bleaching ability of the samples and color aging test assay were performed using color indexes measurements; The cytotoxicity of the samples was also compared to EDB related systems. All of the experimental groups with new HDs were compared to the control group with EDB by statistical analysis. Compared to CQ/EDB system, new lignin-derived hydrogen donors combined with CQ showed comparable or even better performances in polymerization initiation to form resin samples, under a blue dental LED in air. Excellent color bleaching property was observed with the new HDs. Aging tests and cytotoxicity examination of the resin were performed, indicating the new lignin compounds to be efficient hydrogen donors for amine-free CQ-based photo-initiating system. Novel lignin α-O-4 derived hydrogen donors are promising for further usage in light-curing materials.
Benchmarking quantum versions of the kNN algorithm with a metric based on amplitude-encoded features
Authors: Guerrero-Estrada Areli-Yesareth , Quezada L. F. , Sun Guo-Hua
Published: July 2024

This work introduces a quantum subroutine for computing the distance between two patterns and integrates it into two quantum versions of the kNN classifier algorithm: one proposed by Schuld et al. and the other proposed by Quezada et al. Notably, our proposed subroutine is tailored to be memory-efficient, requiring fewer qubits for data encoding, while maintaining the overall complexity for both QkNN versions. This research focuses on comparing the performance of the two quantum kNN algorithms using the original Hamming distance with qubit-encoded features and our proposed subroutine, which computes the distance using amplitude-encoded features. Results obtained from analyzing thirteen different datasets (Iris, Seeds, Raisin, Mine, Cryotherapy, Data Bank Authentication, Caesarian, Wine, Haberman, Transfusion, Immunotherapy, Balance Scale, and Glass) show that both algorithms benefit from the proposed subroutine, achieving at least a 50% reduction in the number of required qubits, while maintaining a similar overall performance. For Shuld’s algorithm, the performance improved in Cryotherapy (68.89% accuracy compared to 64.44%) and Balance Scale (85.33% F1 score compared to 78.89%), was worse in Iris (86.0% accuracy compared to 95.33%) and Raisin (77.67% accuracy compared to 81.56%), and remained similar in the remaining nine datasets. While for Quezada’s algorithm, the performance improved in Caesarian (68.89% F1 score compared to 58.22%), Haberman (69.94% F1 score compared to 62.31%) and Immunotherapy (76.88% F1 score compared to 69.67%), was worse in Iris (82.67% accuracy compared to 95.33%), Balance Scale (77.97% F1 score compared to 69.21%) and Glass (40.04% F1 score compared to 28.79%), and remained similar in the remaining seven datasets.
Validation of a novel, low-fidelity virtual reality simulator and an artificial intelligence assessment approach for peg transfer laparoscopic training
Authors: Bogar Peter Zoltan , Virag Mark , Bene Matyas , Hardi Peter , Matuz Andras , Schlegl Adam Tibor , Toth Luca , Molnar Ferenc , Nagy Balint , Rendeki Szilard , Berner-Juhos Krisztina , Ferencz Andrea , Fischer Krisztina , Maroti Peter
Published: July 2024

Simulators are widely used in medical education, but objective and automatic assessment is not feasible with low-fidelity simulators, which can be solved with artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. The effectiveness of a custom-made VR simulator and an AI-based evaluator of a laparoscopic peg transfer exercise was investigated. Sixty medical students were involved in a single-blinded randomised controlled study to compare the VR simulator with the traditional box trainer. A total of 240 peg transfer exercises from the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery programme were analysed. The experts and AI-based software used the same criteria for evaluation. The algorithm detected pitfalls and measured exercise duration. Skill improvement showed no significant difference between the VR and control groups. The AI-based evaluator exhibited 95% agreement with the manual assessment. The average difference between the exercise durations measured by the two evaluation methods was 2.61 s. The duration of the algorithmic assessment was 59.47 s faster than the manual assessment. The VR simulator was an effective alternative practice compared with the training box simulator. The AI-based evaluation produced similar results compared with the manual assessment, and it could significantly reduce the evaluation time. AI and VR could improve the effectiveness of basic laparoscopic training.
A modified quality control protocol for infectious disease serology based on the Westgard rules
Authors: Wang Yuanfang , Li Xiaohan , Li Dongdong , Xie Yi
Published: July 2024

When traditional statistical quality control protocols, represented by the Westgard protocol were applied to infectious disease serology, the rejection limits were questioned because of the high rejection probability. We first define the probability of false rejection (Pfr) and error detection (Ped) for infectious disease serology. QC data in 6 months were collected and the Pfr of each rule in the Westgard protocol and Rilibak protocol was evaluated. Then, as improvements, we chose different rules for negative and positive QC data to constitute an asymmetric protocol, furthermore, while reagent lot changes, the mean value of QC protocol is reset with the first 15 QC results of new lot reagent. QC materials and Standard Reference Materials were tested synchronously in the next 6 months, to verify whether the Pfr and Ped of the asymmetric protocol could meet the requirement. Protocol 1 exhibited the higher level of rejection rate among the two protocols, especially after reagent lot changes; Pfr below the lower control limit (LCL) was 1.39–21.78 times higher than the upper control limit (UCL); false rejections were more likely to occur in negative QC data, with Pfr-total of 27–65%. The asymmetric protocol can significantly reduce the proportion of analytes with Pfr by over 20%. Systematic error due to reagent lot changes and random error due to routine QC data variation were considered potential factors for excessive Pfr. Asymmetric QC protocol that can reduce Pfr by different control limits for negative and positive QC data.
Pre-movement muscle co-contraction associated with motor performance deterioration under high reward conditions
Authors: Senta Naoki , Ushiba Junichi , Takemi Mitsuaki
Published: July 2024

Reward usually enhances task performance, but exceptionally large rewards can impede performance due to psychological pressure. In this study, we investigated motor activity changes in high-reward situations and identified indicators for performance decline. Fourteen healthy adults practiced a velocity-dependent right-hand motor task for three days, followed by a test day with varying monetary reward for each trial. Participants were divided into low performers (LPs) and high performers (HPs) according to whether success rate decreased or increased, respectively, on the highest reward trials compared to lower reward trials. Both LPs and HPs demonstrated increased hand velocity during higher reward trials, but only LPs exhibited a significant increase in velocity variance. There was also a negative correlation between the pre-movement co-contraction index (CCI) of the biceps and triceps muscles and success rate on the highest reward trials. This correlation was confirmed in a second experiment with 12 newly recruited participants, suggesting that pre-movement CCI is a marker for performance decline caused by high reward. These findings suggest that interventions to reduce pre-movement CCI such as biofeedback training could be useful for preventing the paradoxical decline in motor performance associated with high rewards.
Learning generalizable AI models for multi-center histopathology image classification
Authors: Asadi-Aghbolaghi Maryam , Darbandsari Amirali , Zhang Allen , Contreras-Sanz Alberto , Boschman Jeffrey , Ahmadvand Pouya , Köbel Martin , Farnell David , Huntsman David G. , Churg Andrew , Black Peter C. , Wang Gang , Gilks C. Blake , Farahani Hossein , Bashashati Ali
Published: July 2024

Investigation of histopathology slides by pathologists is an indispensable component of the routine diagnosis of cancer. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve efficiency, and patient outcomes in clinical pathology. However, variations in tissue preparation, staining protocols, and histopathology slide digitization could result in over-fitting of deep learning models when trained on the data from only one center, thereby underscoring the necessity to generalize deep learning networks for multi-center use. Several techniques, including the use of grayscale images, color normalization techniques, and Adversarial Domain Adaptation (ADA) have been suggested to generalize deep learning algorithms, but there are limitations to their effectiveness and discriminability. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) exhibit higher sensitivity to variations in the amplitude spectrum, whereas humans predominantly rely on phase-related components for object recognition. As such, we propose Adversarial fourIer-based Domain Adaptation (AIDA) which applies the advantages of a Fourier transform in adversarial domain adaptation. We conducted a comprehensive examination of subtype classification tasks in four cancers, incorporating cases from multiple medical centers. Specifically, the datasets included multi-center data for 1113 ovarian cancer cases, 247 pleural cancer cases, 422 bladder cancer cases, and 482 breast cancer cases. Our proposed approach significantly improved performance, achieving superior classification results in the target domain, surpassing the baseline, color augmentation and normalization techniques, and ADA. Furthermore, extensive pathologist reviews suggested that our proposed approach, AIDA, successfully identifies known histotype-specific features. This superior performance highlights AIDA’s potential in addressing generalization challenges in deep learning models for multi-center histopathology datasets.
The effect of testosterone on the gut microbiome in mice
Authors: Moadi Lelyan , Turjeman Sondra , Asulin Nofar , Koren Omry
Published: July 2024

The role of hormones in gut–brain crosstalk is largely elusive, but recent research supports specific changes in hormone levels correlated with the gut microbiota. An interesting but unstudied area in microbial endocrinology is the interplay between the microbiota and sex hormones. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of testosterone and sex on the mouse gut microbiome. We use in vitro experiments to test direct effects of testosterone on bacteria in fecal samples collected from male and female mice pre- and post-puberty. Sex-specific microbial and metabolic differences surrounding puberty are also examined in vivo. We then explore effects of testosterone supplementation in vivo, characterizing microbiota and metabolomes of male and female mice. We detect sex-specific differences in microbiota and associated metabolites of mice post-puberty, but in vitro experiments reveal that testosterone only affects microbiota of fecal samples collected before puberty. Testosterone supplementation in vivo affects gut microbiota and metabolomes in both male and female mice. Taking our results from in vitro and in vivo experiments, we conclude that the shift in the microbiome after puberty is at least partially caused by the higher levels of sex hormones, mainly testosterone, in the host.
Diversity of post-translational modifications and cell signaling revealed by single cell and single organelle mass spectrometry
Authors: Mun Dong-Gi , Bhat Firdous A. , Joshi Neha , Sandoval Leticia , Ding Husheng , Jain Anu , Peterson Jane A. , Kang Taewook , Pujari Ganesh P. , Tomlinson Jennifer L. , Budhraja Rohit , Zenka Roman M. , Kannan Nagarajan , Kipp Benjamin R. , Dasari Surendra , Gaspar-Maia Alexandre , Smoot Rory L. , Kandasamy Richard K. , Pandey Akhilesh
Published: July 2024

The rapid evolution of mass spectrometry-based single-cell proteomics now enables the cataloging of several thousand proteins from single cells. We investigated whether we could discover cellular heterogeneity beyond proteome, encompassing post-translational modifications (PTM), protein-protein interaction, and variants. By optimizing the mass spectrometry data interpretation strategy to enable the detection of PTMs and variants, we have generated a high-definition dataset of single-cell and nuclear proteomic-states. The data demonstrate the heterogeneity of cell-states and signaling dependencies at the single-cell level and reveal epigenetic drug-induced changes in single nuclei. This approach enables the exploration of previously uncharted single-cell and organellar proteomes revealing molecular characteristics that are inaccessible through RNA profiling.
Overcoming data scarcity in biomedical imaging with a foundational multi-task model
Authors: Schäfer Raphael , Nicke Till , Höfener Henning , Lange Annkristin , Merhof Dorit , Feuerhake Friedrich , Schulz Volkmar , Lotz Johannes , Kiessling Fabian
Published: July 2024

Foundational models, pretrained on a large scale, have demonstrated substantial success across non-medical domains. However, training these models typically requires large, comprehensive datasets, which contrasts with the smaller and more specialized datasets common in biomedical imaging. Here we propose a multi-task learning strategy that decouples the number of training tasks from memory requirements. We trained a universal biomedical pretrained model (UMedPT) on a multi-task database including tomographic, microscopic and X-ray images, with various labeling strategies such as classification, segmentation and object detection. The UMedPT foundational model outperformed ImageNet pretraining and previous state-of-the-art models. For classification tasks related to the pretraining database, it maintained its performance with only 1% of the original training data and without fine-tuning. For out-of-domain tasks it required only 50% of the original training data. In an external independent validation, imaging features extracted using UMedPT proved to set a new standard for cross-center transferability.
Injectable Smart Hydrogels for Bone and Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Ling Qiangjun , Chen Xinyu , Zhang Kunyu
Published: July 2024

Bone and cartilage injuries can result from various factors, including aging, degenerative diseases, trauma, and surgery. However, the regeneration of damaged bone and cartilage remains a significant challenge in clinical practice. Injectable smart hydrogels have emerged as a promising strategy for addressing this issue. These hydrogels possess several unique advantages, such as injectability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. By encapsulating bioactive molecules, growth factors, and stem cells, these hydrogels serve as supportive scaffolds, creating an optimal micro-environment for tissue repair. Moreover, their injectable nature enables 3D printing and minimally invasive delivery, facilitating precise placement at the site of bone or cartilage defects, even in highly irregular shapes. This chapter aims to elucidate the principles underlying their design and highlight recent advances in their applications for bone and cartilage repair therapies.
Smart Injectable Hydrogels for Craniomaxillofacial Bone Regeneration
Authors: Daghrery Arwa , Bottino Marco C.
Published: July 2024

Craniomaxillofacial bones are susceptible to trauma, congenital abnormalities, and pathologies. Regeneration of craniomaxillofacial bones is challenging due to its complexity and proximity to numerous vital tissues. Allograft and autograft are traditional options for treatment; however, restrictions are caused by limited integration and severe morbidity. There has been a pursuit for materials that imitate natural bone and can be used to fill intricate craniomaxillofacial defects through a minimally invasive procedure. Facial bone defects have a unique geometry and an irregular contour, requiring thin and porous scaffolds while maintaining suitable mechanical properties. There are conflicting requirements that need to be addressed when designing injectable hydrogels that can be mechanically and chemically tuned to offer optimal therapeutic advantages. This chapter delves into the present state of injectable hydrogels utilized in producing biomaterials/scaffolds for craniomaxillofacial bone tissue engineering. We also explore the possibilities of future advances in the field along with critical considerations on scaffold design.
Injectable Smart Hydrogels for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Authors: Mady Eman A. , Doghish Ahmed S. , Mohammed Osama A. , Sharun Khan , El-Husseiny Hussein M.
Published: July 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major chronic and degenerative condition that affects, more frequently, the aging population. Current clinical therapies for OA can only relieve symptoms. The introduction of novel therapy regimens has been made easier by a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of OA; however, it is still difficult to deliver therapies to target locations with minimal invasiveness, high retention, and few adverse effects. Biocompatible injectable smart hydrogels hold great promise for the controlled delivery and release of medicines and biomolecules for tissue healing. In the present chapter, more insight is provided on OA and the conventional modalities employed for its treatment. Moreover, the fabrication of hydrogels and the integration of stimuli-responsive moieties for the design of smart hydrogels for the treatment of OA are discussed. On the other hand, a succinct discussion of how the features and composition of these hydrogels affect the treatment of OA is presented. Additionally presented are the methods for the utilization of these hydrogels as cargoes for delivery of various therapies and growth factors and how they could target diverse portions of the injured joints in order to effectively treat OA. In conclusion, the most recent efforts to fabricate smart injectable hydrogels for the treatment of OA are paving the way for further advancement to refine the outcomes of OA treatment.
Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations shed light on the timescale of furylfulgide photocyclisation
Authors: Kochman Michał Andrzej
Published: July 2024

Furylfulgide photocyclisation is one of the fastest known photoisomerisation reactions. In this study, I use surface hopping simulations aided by pattern recognition analysis to verify spectroscopic estimates of its timescale.
Flipping the script in organic reaction mechanism instruction: using generative pedagogies instead of lecture to improve learning outcomes
Authors: Haindfield Connor , Cerbin William , Baumann Douglas , Schenck Heather
Published: July 2024

Two generative approaches to reaction mechanism instruction for novice students were compared to lecture instruction. In both approaches, students were coached to propose selected reaction mechanisms based on prior knowledge. New instructional methods were correlated with increased skill in representations of electron movements and other gains. Students who saw a larger amount of new pedagogy showed stronger abilities to propose mechanisms for unfamiliar reactions. In the group that saw a larger amount of new pedagogy, first-generation college student (FGS) grades rose to match non-FGS grades. Learning gains were interpreted with respect to cognitive load theory, flagging high element interactivity as a likely obstacle for novice students. Problem solving during mechanism instruction for novice students offers the potential to improve learning outcomes.
Construction of colorimetric sensor arrays using steel slag-based composites for highly sensitive detection of tetracycline antibiotics
Authors: Zhao Xin , Zhang Zhaohui , Liu Jiaxiang
Published: July 2024

A colorimetric sensor array based on three kinds of steel slag-based composites was constructed to identify three different kinds of TCs (TC, OTC and DOX) by using LDA in SPSS 22.0.
Characterization of plasma polymerized acetonitrile film for fluorescence enhancement and its application to aptamer-based sandwich assay
Authors: Yano Kazuyoshi , Matsuie Yutaro , Sato Ayaka , Okada Maiko , Akimoto Takuo , Sugimoto Iwao
Published: July 2024

Aptamer-based sandwich assay with enhanced fluorescence intensity is achieved using multilayered glass slides modified by plasma polymerization technique.
Mg ions intercalated with V3O7·H2O to construct ultrastable cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries
Authors: Shi Yaowen , Yin Bosi , Sun Ying , Ge Rongyuan , Hu Yingfang , Li Jiazhuo , Li Hui , Zhang Siwen , Ma Tianyi
Published: July 2024

MgVO is synthesized using a direct hydrothermal method. Mg2+ ions function as pillars within the layered vanadium oxide, increasing the interlayer spacing and enhancing structural stability, thereby reducing the risk of structural collapse.
Photon-gated foldaxane assembly/disassembly
Authors: Yao Chenhao , Gole Bappaditya , Bui Anh Thy , Kauffmann Brice , Huc Ivan , McClenaghan Nathan D. , Ferrand Yann
Published: July 2024

An aromatic oligoamide sequence integrating multiple anthracene motifs forms a supramolecular helix-on-axle architecture exhibiting photodriven guest expulsion with thermal reversibility.
Dependence of lactose adsorption on the exposed crystal facets of metals: a comparative study of gold, silver and copper
Authors: Tarrat Nathalie , Schön J. Christian , Cortés Juan
Published: July 2024

Using a multi-stage global exploration scheme, low energy conformations of lactose on surfaces were compared as a function of the metal and exposed crystal facet. Results show that controlling exposed facets can tune metal-saccharide interactions.
Permeability of TB drugs through the mycolic acid monolayer: a tale of two force fields
Authors: Basu Subhadip , Mandal Sandip , Maiti Prabal K.
Published: July 2024

Thermodynamic free energy barrier offered by mycolic acid monolayer for tuberculosis drugs.
Reconciling electrolyte donicity and polarity for lithium carbon fluoride batteries
Authors: Wang Xingxing , Song Ziyu , Wu Hao , Chen Jiayi , Feng Wenfang , Armand Michel , Zhou Zhibin , Zhang Heng
Published: July 2024

For nonaqueous electrolytes designed for carbon fluoride batteries, a higher donicity is beneficial for stabilizing positively charged carbon atoms, while a moderate polarity is favorable for detaching negatively charged fluorine atoms.
DNA origami: thinking ‘outside the fold’ for direct integrity testing of membranes for virus removal in potable reuse applications
Authors: Ray Hannah , Papp Katerina , Green Leopold , Tseng Boo Shan , Dickenson Eric , Gerrity Daniel
Published: July 2024

Increasing water scarcity and water quality impairment are drivers for broader implementation of potable reuse. To maximize the sustainability of these systems, it is important to address pathogen log reduction value (LRV) ‘gaps’.
The bench to bedside journey of tricyclo-DNA antisense oligonucleotides for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Blitek Mathilde , Phongsavanh Xaysongkhame , Goyenvalle Aurélie
Published: July 2024

The review summarizes the preclinical evaluation of tricyclo-DNA-ASOs from the first fully phosphorotiated compounds to the latest generation of lipid-conjugated-ASOs currently evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of DMD.
Chiral porphyrin-SiO2 nano helices-based sensors for vapor enantiomers recognition
Authors: Di Filippo Ilaria , Anfar Zakaria , Magna Gabriele , Pranee Piyanan , Monti Donato , Stefanelli Manuela , Oda Reiko , Di Natale Corrado , Paolesse Roberto
Published: July 2024

An enantioselective array comprised of chiral silica nanohelices grafted with porphyrins shows the capability of recognizing enantiomers with high classification accuracies.
Atomically dispersed Pt1Ir1 pair for synergetic hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone
Authors: Liu Boyang , Chen Lin-Wei , Wang Lei
Published: July 2024

Synergetic hydrogenation of levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone over an atomically dispersed Pt1Ir1 pair.
Biosensors for detection of airborne pathogenic fungal spores: a review
Authors: Memon Roomia , Niazi Javed H. , Qureshi Anjum
Published: July 2024

An overview of biosensors for airborne pathogenic fungal spore detection.
Design of a photocatalyst combining graphdiyne (g-CnH2n−2) nanosheets with a PVP-modified co-metal coordination polymer and its hydrogen-evolution performance
Authors: Zhang Huijun , Zhang Yueyang , Zhang Linqing , Liu Hai , Lei Minjun , Jin Zhiliang
Published: July 2024

Metal coordination polymers are organometallic frameworks in which a metal and an organic ligand are linked via a dative bond.
Tailoring morphological and chemical contributions of nanoscale charge transfer for enhanced triboelectric nanogenerators
Authors: Kim Jong Hun , Jin Da Woon , Jeon Jae Hyeon , Kumar Dheeraj , Yoon HongYeon , Cho Hunyoung , Ihee Hyotcherl , Park Jeong Young , Jung Jong Hoon
Published: July 2024

We improve triboelectric nanogenerator performance by adjusting chemical ratios and surface corrugation. Our study reveals that contact electrification variations stem from energy dissipation-driven thermion emission, influenced by competing factors.
Insights into the nucleation and growth of BiOCl nanoparticles by in situ X-ray pair distribution function analysis and in situ liquid cell TEM
Authors: Gordon Matthew N. , Junkers Laura S. , Googasian Jack S. , Mathiesen Jette K. , Zhan Xun , Morgan David Gene , Jensen Kirsten M. Ø. , Skrabalak Sara E.
Published: July 2024

Controlled BiOCl synthesis is hindered by its fast nucleation and growth. Our precursor allows BiOCl formation to be slowed to enable BiOCl formation to be investigated by in situ X-ray PDF and in situ liquid cell TEM.
Construction of excellent solid-state electrolyte by incorporating Li-IL into open-pore MOF/polymer-based materials
Authors: Ren Zhi-Peng , Cong Bowei , Xu Feixue , Ouyang Shuyue , Zhao Jia-Hui , Yang Hao-Jie , Guo Shaohui , Wu Dongzheng , Duan Xiaochuan , Zhang Xian-Ming
Published: July 2024

We obtained MOF–polymer distinguished from conventional pore clogging by coaxial electrospinning. After activation, Li-IL was ligand-loaded with MOF to obtain a CSE with a high efficiency combination of the three systems and excellent performance.
An automated protocol to construct flexibility parameters for classical forcefields: applications to metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Ghanavati Reza , Escobosa Alma C. , Manz Thomas A.
Published: July 2024

This article introduces an automated protocol for optimizing the flexibility parameters (to be used in classical forcefields) through regularized linear regression and applies this new method to 116 metal–organic frameworks.
Elucidating bis-pyrimidines as new and efficient mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors: synthesis, SAR, kinetics and computational studies
Authors: Afzal Manazza , Mehmood Rabia , Mughal Ehsan Ullah , Naeem Nafeesa , Ashraf Zaman , Nazir Yasir , Shalaby Fatma Mohsen , El-Sayed Abd El Hady Amal , Sadiq Amina
Published: July 2024

In this study, a series of novel bis-pyrimidine derivatives (1P–8P) were designed, synthesized, characterized, and investigated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against mushroom tyrosinase.
Data-driven discovery of active phosphine ligand space for cross-coupling reactions
Authors: Ma Sicong , Cao Yanwei , Shi Yun-Fei , Shang Cheng , He Lin , Liu Zhi-Pan
Published: July 2024

An active ligand space catalyst screening strategy based on a metal–phosphine ligand catalyst database (MPCD) helps to discover the cost-effective P-ligand for C–C cross-coupling reactions with inert aryl chloride.
Self-healing photoluminescent polymers with photosensitive behavior for information storage and multiple-level dynamic encryption
Authors: Zhao Di , Li Xianglong , Li Qianrui , Yue Chunmei , Wang Yige , Li Huanrong
Published: July 2024

A family of light-responsive photoluminescent materials with self-healing properties were obtained and applied in dynamic multi-level information encryption applications.
Fast photochromism of helicene-bridged imidazole dimers
Authors: Mutoh Katsuya , Abe Jiro
Published: July 2024

The unique optical and magnetic properties of organic biradicaloids on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are of fundamental interest in the development of novel organic optoelectronic materials.
Dopant-free fluorene based dimers linked with thiophene units as prospective hole transport materials for Sb2S3 solar cells
Authors: Juneja Nimish , Jegorovė Aistė , Grzibovskis Raitis , Katerski Atanas , Daskeviciene Maryte , Malinauskas Tadas , Vembris Aivars , Karazhanov Smagul , Spalatu Nicolae , Getautis Vytautas , Krunks Malle , Oja Acik Ilona
Published: July 2024

Novel dopant-free dimers comprising methoxydiphenylamine substituted fluorene derivatives as hole transport materials (HTMs) in Sb2S3 absorber solar cells.
A second generation of senotherapies: the development of targeted senolytics, senoblockers and senoreversers for healthy ageing
Authors: Dhokia Vinesh , Albati Amal , Smith Hannah , Thomas Gethin , Macip Salvador
Published: July 2024

Cellular senescence, a form of terminal cell cycle arrest, is as a key driver of organismal ageing and an important factor in age-related diseases. Insights into the senescent phenotype have led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies, collectively known as senotherapies, that aim to ameliorate the detrimental effects of senescent cell accumulation in tissues. The senotherapeutic field has rapidly evolved over the past decade, with clinical translation of the first drugs discovered currently underway. What began as the straightforward removal of senescent cells using repurposed compounds, which were given the name of senolytics, has grown into an expanding field that uses different state of the art approaches to achieve the goal of preventing the build-up of senescent cells in the body. Here, we summarize the emergence of a new generation of senotherapies, based on improving the efficacy and safety of the original senolytics by making them targeted, but also branching out into drugs that prevent senescence (senoblockers) or revert it (senoreversers).The use of nanotechnology, specific antibodies, cell-based approaches and restored immunosurveillance is likely to revolutionize the field of senotherapies in the near future, hopefully allowing it to realize its full clinical potential.
Millimetre‐wave on‐chip SIW filtering crossover using 0.25 µm GaAs pHEMT technology
Authors: Zhou Xin , Lu Siyuan , Li Desen , Ding Daqi , Chio Chi‐Hou , Tam Kam‐Weng
Published: July 2024

This letter presents a novel millimetre‐wave (mm‐wave) on‐chip substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filtering crossover using 0.25 µm GaAs pHEMT technology. The design methodology of the proposed crossover is thoroughly illustrated. The proposed filtering crossover employs a dual‐mode cavity with TE102 and TE201 degenerate mode resonances at the intersection, leveraging the degenerate modes for in‐band resonance and inter‐channel isolation. Additionally, four TE101 mode resonant half‐mode SIW cavities are coupled around the dual‐mode cavity to achieve two third‐order bandpass response channels and reduce the overall size. A prototype is designed, analysed, and fabricated to validate the proposed approach, with measured results showing good agreement with simulations. The presented on‐chip SIW filtering crossover offers promising potential for mm‐wave applications, demonstrating the effectiveness of the design methodology and GaAs pHEMT technology integration.
Guest Editorial: Quantum industry: Applications in quantum communication (Quantum.Tech Europe 2022)
Authors: De Debashis , Lord Andrew
Published: July 2024

Quantum technology harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to accomplish tasks in a different way as compared to the classical technologies. This includes quantum computing, which uses qubits for parallel information processing, greatly enhancing computation speed and entanglement and empowering problem‐solving abilities. Quantum communication provides secure data transmission through quantum cryptography, while quantum sensing offers improved measurement precision, benefiting areas such as cryptography, material science, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the implementation and commercialisation of quantum technology involve transitioning theoretical quantum concepts into practical applications and marketable products. To achieve widespread adoption of quantum industry, significant research efforts are crucial among academia, industry, and government.
Active sonar target recognition method based on multi‐domain transformations and attention‐based fusion network
Authors: Wang Qingcui , Du Shuanping , Zhang Wei , Wang Fangyong
Published: July 2024

The classification and recognition of underwater targets by an active sonar system remain challenging and complex. Traditional methods have limited classification performance in time and spatially varying ocean channels. An active sonar target recognition method is proposed based on multi‐domain transformations and an attention‐based fusion network. Initially, the active target echo undergoes time‐frequency analysis, auditory signal processing, and matched filtering to represent target attributes in joint spatial‐time‐frequency domains. Subsequently, multiple attention‐based fusion models fuse the multi‐domain transformations either early or late in the processing stages. An attention module further enhances significant feature channels through adaptive weight assignment. Experiment results demonstrate that the recognition accuracy of active sonar echoes using multi‐domain transformations improves significantly compared to that of single‐domain methods, with an increase of up to 10.5%. The incorporation of multiple transformation domains provides complementary information about the target, thereby enhancing the network's representation ability, especially with limited data samples. Furthermore, the findings indicate that feature fusion of multiple transformations in a high‐level feature space yields more informative and effective results for active sonar echoes compared to low‐level feature spaces.
Power frequency magnetic field interference suppression method for online frequency response analysis of power transformers
Authors: Cheng Yangchun , Liu Xiangdong , Sha Yufei , Chang Wenzhi , Bi Jiangang
Published: July 2024

Frequency response analysis is widely used for the offline diagnosis of winding deformations in power transformers. To apply this approach to a working transformer, the magnitude of the response current needs to be measured by using Rogowski coil sensors across a load current. The saturation of the power frequency magnetic field in these current sensors must be prevented to ensure accurate measurement of such small response currents. Here, a method is presented to suppress the power frequency magnetic field using a sensing system including a special connection of three‐phase current sensors based on the sum of the three‐phase power frequency load currents of the transformer being close to zero. Each sensor comprises two secondary coils: a measuring coil and an anti‐saturation coil. The anti‐saturation coils are connected in parallel with one another through small inductors to eliminate the power frequency magnetic field in the cores of the sensors. Theoretical analysis is used to derive a solution for this system. The experimental results verify the proposed method as enabling the sensors to function with a transformer carrying a load current of 2333 A.
Enhancing offloading with cybersecurity in edge computing for digital twin‐driven patient monitoring
Authors: Jameil Ahmed K. , Al‐Raweshidy Hamed
Published: July 2024

In healthcare, the use of digital twin (DT) technology has been recognised as essential for enhancing patient care through real‐time remote monitoring. However, concerns regarding risk prediction, task offloading, and data security have been raised due to the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) in remote healthcare. In this study, a new method was introduced, combines edge computing with sophisticated cybersecurity solutions. A vast amount of environmental and physiological data has been gathered, allowing for thorough understanding of patients. The system included hybrid encryption, threat prediction, Merkle Tree verification, certificate‐based authentication, and secure communication. The feasibility of the proposal was evaluated by using an ESP32‐Azure IoT Kit and Azure Cloud to evaluate the system's capacity to securely send patient data to healthcare institutions and stakeholders, while simultaneously upholding data confidentiality. The system demonstrated a notable improvement in encryption speed, with 27.18%, represented as the improved efficiency and achieved storage efficiency ratio 0.673. Furthermore, the evidence from the simulations showed that the system's performance was not affected by encryption since encryption times continuously remained within a narrow range. Moreover, proactive alert of probable security risks would be detected from the predictive analytics, hence strong data integrity assurance. The results suggest the proposed system provided a proactive, personalised care approach for cybersecurity‐protected DT healthcare (DTH) high‐level modelling and simulation, enabled via IoT and cloud computing under improved threat prediction.
Les méthodes de contraception réversibles et irréversibles
chez le chat mâle
Authors: del Carro Andrea
Published: July 2024

La castration chirurgicale reste aujourd’hui la méthode de stérilisation la plus utilisée chez le chat mâle ce jour. D’autres techniques sont disponibles. La stérilisation chimique est une alternative.

L’implant de desloréline (4,7 mg) garantit une efficacité moyenne de 18 mois après une période de stimulation initiale.

Il peut aussi être retiré avant la fin de son efficacité, s’il est posé en position ombilicale.

Si une injection intra-testiculaire d’un produit sclérosant peut remplacer l’orchidectomie, le bilan bénéfices/risques est encore en faveur de la chirurgie ce jour.

D’autres alternatives pourront aider le praticien dans l’avenir. La mise au point d’un vaccin anti-GnRH montre des résultats assez satisfaisants. Le vaccin de castration pourrait rentrer dans le protocole vaccinal type dans un avenir assez proche.

La recherche essaie aussi de trouver des solutions encore plus d’avant-garde.

L’inoculation d’un virus non pathogène pourrait inhiber l’expression des caractères sexuels contenu dans l’ADN ou sur-exprimer la synthèse des molécules que physiologiquement inhibent la stimulation des gonades.