bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic Structure Engineering of RuNi Alloys Decrypts Hydrogen and Hydroxyl Active Site Separation and Enhancement for Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Lian Wei , Chen Feng , Wu Jie , Mo Haoyang , Zhu Qiuyu , Zhang Xian , Song Shaoxian , Jia Feifei
Published: November 2024

Rational design of the active sites of hydrolysis dissociation intermediates to weaken their active site competition and toxicity is a key challenge to achieve efficient and stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in ruthenium‐containing alloys. Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations reveal that the transfer of the d‐band electrons from Ru to Ni in RuNi alloys results in a Gibbs free energy of −0.12 eV for the Ru0.250Ni Fcc‐site H*. In addition, the high spin state of the electrons outside the Ru nucleus strengthens the adsorption of OH* on the Ru─Ni bond, which weakens the active‐site competition and toxicity successfully. This theoretical prediction is confirmed by electrodeposition of prepared aRuxNi, and the RuNi alloys obtained by Ru atom doping have excellent HER properties. aRu0.250Ni has overpotentials of 38 and 162.4 mV at −10 and −100 mA cm−2, respectively, and can be stably operated at −100 mA cm−2 Dual‐electrode system aRu0.250Ni//bRu0Ni demonstrates an ultra‐low battery voltage (1.86 V @500 mA cm−2) and excellent stability (24 h@300 mA cm−2). This holistic work resolves the mechanism of active site separation and strengthening in RuNi alloys, and provides a new design idea for the preparation of highly efficient alkaline HER electrodes.
In Situ Transformable Fibrillar Clusters Disrupt Intracellular Copper Metabolic Homeostasis by Comprehensive Blockage of Cuprous Ions Efflux
Authors: Chen Yichi , Wang Yijun , Zhang Ruotian , Wang Fengyi , Lin Xin , Wang Tong , Zhang Wenyuan , Deng Fuan , Wu Bolin , Shang Haitao , Cheng Wen , Zhang Lu
Published: November 2024

Dysregulation of copper metabolism is intricately associated with the occurrence and therapeutic management of colorectal cancer. Previous studies have attempted to induce cuproptosis by delivering lethal doses of copper ions into tumor cells, often with systemic safety risks. In vivo, transformable peptide is modular and designed for various tumor‐related proteins, which can affect protein function and distribution. Here, a fibrillar transformation peptidic (FTP) nanoparticle is synthesized, which can bind ATP7B membrane proteins (cuprous ions transporter) and transform into nanofibrils/ATP7B clusters, inducing “copper‐free cuproptosis” in vivo. Without adding exogenous copper ions, the spherical FTP nanoparticles bound the high distribution regions of ATP7B membrane proteins, transforming into fibrillar networks in situ with prolonged retention. The cage‐like fibrillar network would further capture unbound or newly generated free ATP7B membrane proteins, thereby significantly and consistently preventing cuprous ions efflux. The FTP nanoparticles would not undergo in situ fibrillar transformation on the low expression region of ATP7B membrane proteins but enter the cell for safe degradation, which exhibited high specificity and safety in vivo. By disrupting intracellular copper homeostasis, the transformable fibrillar clusters displayed a long‐term anti‐tumor effect on subcutaneous transplantation and liver metastatic CRC models.
Bimodal Droplet‐Based Electricity Generation Through Semi Cassini Oval Dynamic Morphology Control
Authors: Xu Jiaxing , Bu Ling , Han Xu , Xue Kaiwen , Du Gang , Wang Xiaohong
Published: November 2024

Droplet‐based electricity generator (DEG) is the promising energy harvesting technology applicable in versatile scenarios. Despite numerous optimizations in DEG's materials and structures, few has paid attention to the droplet dynamics and morphology control. Here the droplet's spread‐retraction dynamics and the resultant semi Cassini oval (SCO) morphology are reported, characterized by convex at both ends and concave in the middle. The lifted top electrode (LTE) is designed to respond to the dynamic SCO morphology in two steps: 1) LTE first contacts the leading edge of the spreading droplet, generating a negative voltage peak; 2) LTE second contacts the trailing edge of the retracting droplet, generating a positive voltage peak. In this way, bimodal electrical output is obtained, which exhibits 25% increase in peak‐to‐peak voltage and 33% increase in average power compared to the traditional DEG with only one voltage peak. These results prove that incorporating the droplet dynamics and morphology control into DEG design uplifts the energy harvesting limit from individual droplet. The proposed LTE‐DEG inspires alternative route for DEG power enhancement by maximizing energy utilization of individual droplet from the perspective of droplet dynamic morphology design.
Nanofluidic Lab‐On‐A‐Chip Systems for Biosensing in Healthcare
Authors: Chong Shin Wei , Shen Yi , Palomba Stefano , Vigolo Daniele
Published: November 2024

Biosensing plays a vital role in healthcare monitoring, disease detection, and treatment planning. In recent years, nanofluidic technology has been increasingly explored to be developed into lab‐on‐a‐chip biosensing systems. Given now the possibility of fabricating geometrically defined nanometric channels that are commensurate with the size of many biomolecules, nanofluidic‐based devices are likely to become a key technology for the analysis of various clinical biomarkers, including DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and proteins in liquid biopsies. This review summarizes the fundamentals and technological advances of nanofluidics from the purview of single‐molecule analysis, detection of low‐abundance molecules, and single‐cell analysis at the subcellular level. The extreme confinement and dominant surface charge effects in nanochannels provide unique advantages to nanofluidic devices for the manipulation and transport of target biomarkers. When coupled to a microfluidic network to facilitate sample introduction, integrated micro‐nanofluidic biosensing devices are proving to be more sensitive and specific in molecular analysis compared to conventional assays in many cases. Based on recent progress in nanofluidics and current clinical trends, the review concludes with a discussion of near‐term challenges and future directions for the development of nanofluidic‐based biosensing systems toward enabling a new wave of lab‐on‐a‐chip technology for personalized and preventive medicine.
Intrareticular Exciton Effects Regulate Photocatalytic Activity in Donor–Acceptor Olefin‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhou Wenwen , Zhao Jianfeng , Xu Liangliang , Jiang Xuekai , Li Zhiwen , Peng Yongwu , Li Gao
Published: November 2024

Olefin‐linked covalent organic frameworks (OL‐COFs) show great promise for visible‐light‐driven photocatalysis. Manipulating atomic‐level donor–acceptor interactions in OL‐COFs is key to understanding their exciton effects in this system. Here, three OL‐COFs are presented with orthorhombic lattice structures, synthesized via Knoevenagel polycondensation reaction of terephthalaldehyde and tetratopic monomers featuring phenyl, benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole, and benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole moieties. These OL‐COFs feature tunable donor–acceptor interactions, making them ideal for studying exciton effects in olefin‐linked systems. Comprehensive analyses, including temperature‐dependent photoluminescence spectra, ultrafast spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations, reveal that stronger donor–acceptor interactions lead to reduced exciton binding energy (Eb), accelerated exciton dissociation, and longer‐lived photogenerated charges, thereby enhancing photocatalytic performance. Notably, The TMO‐BDA COF, with the lowest Eb, demonstrates superior photocatalytic activity in one‐pot sequential organic transformation and excellent catalytic performance in gram‐scale reactions, highlighting its potential for practical applications. This work provides valuable insights into regulating the exciton effect at the molecular level in OL‐COFs, offering pathways to enhance photocatalytic efficiency.
Photo‐Induced Radical Generation of Supramolecular Gel with Sign‐Inverted and White‐Light Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Ji Lukang , Li Jinqi , Meng Tianzi , Li Zujian , Zhu Huajie , Ouyang Guanghui , Liu Minghua
Published: November 2024

The realization of persistent luminescence and in particular circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) of organic radicals remains a challenge due to their sensitivity to oxygen at ambient conditions and elusive excited state chirality control. Here, it is reported that UV‐irradiation on a supramolecular gel from a chiral triarylamine derivative, TPA‐Ala, led to the formation of luminescent radicals with bright CPL. TPA‐Ala can form an organogel in chloroform with blue emission and supramolecular chirality as demonstrated by both CD and CPL signals. Upon UV 365 nm irradiation, an emission color change from blue to cyan is observed due to the formation of photo‐induced radicals. Interestingly, it is found that the supramolecular gel radicals showed stable luminescence with a lifetime ≈ 10 days in dark environments and inverted CPL, which represents a scarce example with persistent CPL from doublet‐state due to oxygen isolation ability of the gel network. Furthermore, doping a guest dye, Rhodamine B (RhB), into the supramolecular gel (RhB/TPA‐Ala = 30% in molar ratio) successfully obtained a transient white‐light CPL through the superposition of photo‐induced radical and guest dye emissions. This work provides a useful methodology for the fabrication of radical‐based CPL materials via a supramolecular assembly approach.
Visual Frame Analysis
Authors: Luhtakallio Eeva
Published: November 2024

This article presents a project of methodologically applying and conceptually adjusting Goffman's frame analysis to studying visual social life: what is going on, and how, in the abundance of visual scenes that we increasingly navigate through in our everyday lives. Visual frame analysis is a methodological approach that addresses images as a part of the world people need to make sense of and proposes tools to address different sets of visual situations. Two examples from previous research illustrate this methodological suggestion: one analyzing dominant and secondary frames of gender representations in the covers of periodical magazines, and another analyzing keyings of visual politicization in activist website images. Finally, the article discusses further possibilities of applying such an analysis, e.g., combined with AI based tools, to the abundance of image flows on social media.
Comparison of the Effect of Adding Different Levels of Zinc Chloride, Curcumin, Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (Zano‐NPs), Curcumin Loaded on Zano‐NPs on Post‐Thawing Quality of Ram Semen
Authors: Omidi Fatemeh , Hajarian Hadi , Karamishabankareh Hamed , Soltani Leila , Dashtizad Mojtaba
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study looked at how different concentrations of curcumin (Curc), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) and Curc loaded on ZnO‐NPs (Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs) in cryopreservation dilution affected the quality of ram sperm after thawing.

Methods

ZnO‐NPs were synthesised using Berberis vulgaris leaf aqueous extract. Then, Curc was loaded on the ZnO‐NPs that had been synthesised. We used analytical methods to look at the composition, morphology and size of green synthesised ZnO‐NPs and Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs, including UV‐Vis, zeta potential, EDX, DLS, FE‐SEM and FT‐IR. Using a Tris‐base extender containing various concentrations of Curc, ZnCl2, ZnO‐NPs and Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs (0, 1, 10 and 100 µg/mL), semen samples from four rams were combined. Sperm motility, viability, DNA and plasma membrane integrity, total abnormalities and malondialdehyde (MDA) generation were all evaluated in treatment groups after thawing.

Results

The results showed that adding 1 µg/mL of ZnO‐NPs and Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs significantly reduced the level of MDA and total abnormalities (p < 0.05). Additionally, following the freeze‐thawing procedure, the presence of 1 µg/mL of Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs in the diluent of ram sperm significantly increased the percentage of sperm viability and motility in comparison to the control and other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, as compared to the control group and other treatments, treatments containing 1 µg/mL of Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs significantly improved membrane and DNA integrity (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

It appears that following freeze‐thawing, the Curc‐co‐ZnO‐NPs (1 µg/mL) enhanced sperm parameters.
Development and Application of an Indirect Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay Based on a Recombinant Matrix Protein for the Serological Study of Porcine Deltacoronavirus in Mexican Pigs
Authors: Castañeda Montes Francisco Jesus , Cerriteño Sánchez José Luis , Cuevas‐Romero Julieta Sandra , Castañeda Montes María Azucena , Mendoza Elvira Susana
Published: November 2024

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an infectious disease that causes diarrhoea in pigs of different ages; however, piglets are more susceptible. PDCoV was first reported in 2012 in China and Hong Kong. Later, it was first reported in the USA in 2014 and in Mexico in 2019. Several studies have shown that M protein is highly conserved and, therefore, suitable for diagnostic systems. In this study, for the first time, an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) based on a recombinant M protein (rM‐PDCoV) was developed to evaluate the seroprevalence of PDCoV in four states in Mexico. High sensitivity (83%) and specificity (100%) were observed for the iELISA. The kappa index calculated a nearly perfect agreement (0.8831) compared to the Western blot (gold standard test), suggesting acceptable statistical value support. In this study, 50.38% of the serum samples from backyard pigs were PDCoV‐positive. The serological comparison showed that PDCoV/PEDV coinfections occurred in 31.98% of the analysed sera. These results can enrich our understanding of how this virus spreads and enable the evaluation of PDCoV infections. Moreover, it highlights the importance of continually investigating the seroprevalence of PDCoV in Mexico because there is also no information about the current prevalence of the disease.
First Molecular Identification and Whole Genome Sequencing of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated From an African Lion
Authors: Xu Ping , Qi Xinyong , Wang Xiaoxu , Xu Feng , Zhao Hongjin , Shen Liping , Zhang Yujie , Huang Shixin , Wang Jian
Published: November 2024

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes sporadic infectious listeriosis, which is a foodborne disease associated with consumption of contaminated food or feed. The internal organs of an African lion from a zoo in Shanghai were analysed to determine the cause of death. LM infection was suspected on the basis of the clinical symptoms and pathological changes and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of LM infection of an African lion in China.
Migration as Adaptation? The Falepili Union Between Australia and Tuvalu
Authors: Barnett Jon , Farbotko Carol , Kitara Taukiei , Aselu Bateteba
Published: November 2024

Australia and Tuvalu recently signed a unique treaty called the Australia‐Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty, on climate change adaptation, migration, and security. Here we analyze the treaty's migration provision which will enable citizens of Tuvalu to live and work in Australia. We ground our analysis in the state of knowledge about climate change and migration in Tuvalu, explaining the Falepili Union and the ways in which its migration provision may be either a mechanism for adaptation or maladaptation. We then describe a range of policy conditions to maximize the adaptation outcomes for Tuvalu and Tuvaluans. These include measures from the Australian government to support Tuvaluans who migrate as well as the Tuvaluan‐Australians who will be key to their integration, and invest in key sectors in Tuvalu such as coastal protection, ICT, and transport. Cooperation between the Tuvalu and Australian governments will also be needed to help direct remittances into public goods and adaptive technologies and practices, to harness the benefits of skills and training for both economies and to monitor the scheme to ensure it delivers adaptation outcomes to Tuvalu and Tuvaluans. Further policy measures discussed include the selection of people eligible for migration and improved communications about the benefits and risks and governance of the scheme. Most if not all of these will be necessary if the migration provision of the Faleplili Union is to be a mechanism for adaptation.
A Constrained Geometry Fluorenyl Amido Magnesium Catalyst for Amine‐Borane Dehydrocoupling
Authors: Lambert Jessica , Morgenstern Bernd , Schäfer André
Published: November 2024

A fluorenyl amido constrained geometry magnesium complex is described, which was obtained by deprotonation of the corresponding neutral ligand system with dibutyl magnesium. Its structure was determined by SC‐XRD and it was shown to be a potent catalyst for amine‐borane dehydrogenation/dehydrocoupling.
Transmission coefficient of super-Janus solution
Authors: Baig Saba Asif , Karch Andreas , Wang Mianqi
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We calculate the transmission coefficient of the super-Janus interface conformal field theory, both at weak and at strong coupling, where latter is described holographically as a domain-wall solution on AdS2 × S2 × M4 × Σ. Surprisingly we find perfect agreement between the free and strong coupling answer, mirroring a similar unexpected equivalence previously found for the entanglement entropy.
Improved precision on 2–3 oscillation parameters using the synergy between DUNE and T2HK
Authors: Agarwalla Sanjib Kumar , Kundu Ritam , Singh Masoom
Published: November 2024

Abstract

A high-precision measurement of $$ \Delta {m}_{31}^2 $$
∆

m
31
2

and θ23 is inevitable to estimate the Earth’s matter effect in long-baseline experiments which in turn plays an important role in addressing the issue of neutrino mass ordering and to measure the value of CP phase in 3ν framework. After reviewing the results from the past and present experiments, and discussing the near-future sensitivities from the IceCube Upgrade and KM3NeT/ORCA, we study the expected improvements in the precision of 2–3 oscillation parameters that the next-generation long-baseline experiments, DUNE and T2HK, can bring either in isolation or combination. We highlight the relevance of the possible complementarities between these two experiments in obtaining the improved sensitivities in determining the deviation from maximal mixing of θ23, excluding the wrong-octant solution of θ23, and obtaining high precision on 2–3 oscillation parameters, as compared to their individual performances. We observe that for the current best-fit values of the oscillation parameters and assuming normal mass ordering (NMO), DUNE + T2HK can establish the non-maximal θ23 and exclude the wrong octant solution of θ23 at around 7σ C.L. with their nominal exposures. We find that DUNE + T2HK can improve the current relative 1σ precision on sin2θ23$$ \left(\Delta {m}_{31}^2\right) $$

∆

m
31
2

by a factor of 7 (5) assuming NMO. Also, we notice that with less than half of their nominal exposures, the combination of DUNE and T2HK can achieve the sensitivities that are expected from these individual experiments using their full exposures. We also portray how the synergy between DUNE and T2HK can provide better constraints on (sin2θ23–δCP) plane as compared to their individual reach.
Effects of final state interactions on Landau singularities
Authors: Sakthivasan A. S. , Mai M. , Rusetsky A. , Döring M.
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In certain kinematic and particle mass configurations, triangle singularities may lead to line-shapes which mimic the effects of resonances. This well-known effect is scrutinized here in the presence of final-state rescattering. The goal is achieved first by utilizing general arguments provided by Landau equations, and second by applying a modern scattering formalism with explicit two- and three-body unitarity.
A mass for the dual axion
Authors: Platschorre Arthur
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In this article we study a modification of axion physics in which the dual axion acquires a mass. This mass explicitly breaks the shift symmetry of the dual axion. The potential breaking of this shift symmetry poses a dual axion quality problem. When the dual axion acquires a mass, the axion gets eaten and becomes the longitudinal degree of freedom of a massive vector field. In this phase, axion strings are screened and far-separated instanton configurations are exponentially suppressed. This confinement of instantons corresponds to the worldline action of a particle-like soliton traveling between the instantons analogous to Abrikosov/Nielsen-Oleson vortex solitons that stretch between confined magnetic monopoles in a superconductor. We calculate the cost of this additional worldline suppression and provide several models in which both the confined instantons and confining worldline are dynamical.
The impact of a large-scale natural disaster on local economic activity: evidence from the 2003 Bam earthquake in Iran
Authors: Farzanegan Mohammad Reza , Fischer Sven
Published: November 2024

This study provides new causal evidence for the impact of a large-scale natural disaster on local economic activity in Iran using nighttime light intensity. We apply the synthetic control method (SCM) to nighttime light (NTL) data from 1992 to 2013 to study the impact of the 2003 Bam earthquake on Bam County in Iran and its neighboring counties. According to the results and statistical inference tests for the SCM, Bam County and its neighboring counties experienced a statistically significant boost in economic activity in the years following the earthquake. Bam’s GDP economic activity increases by an accumulated US$620 million in the post-earthquake period. We find that the average economic gain in Bam following the 2003 earthquake is approximately 5% of Bam’s GDP. We also discuss possible contributing factors to the post-disaster economic boom in Bam.
Within-Site Variations in Soil Physicochemical Properties Explained the Spatiality and Cohabitation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in the Roots of Cryptomeria Japonica
Authors: Djotan Akotchiffor Kevin Geoffroy , Matsushita Norihisa , Fukuda Kenji
Published: November 2024

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) live in a community in the roots of host plants. Still, the patterns and factors that drive their spatiality and cohabitation remain uncovered, particularly that of trees in planted forests, which we aimed to clarify in Cryptomeria japonica, a major plantation tree in Japan. We analyzed 65 paired root and soil samples of Cryptomeria japonica trees collected from 11 microsite (MS) plots at two environmentally different forest sites in central Japan and measured soil pH, total phosphorus (TP), C, N, and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Root AMF communities were recovered using Illumina’s next-generation amplicon sequencing targeting the small subunit of ribosomal DNA. We detected more than 500 AMF OTUs at each site but only three belonging to Dominikia, Rhizophagus, and Sclerocystis were dominant in the roots of C. japonica, detected each at an average relative abundance higher than 20%. Two showed negatively correlated spatial distributions and different associations with soil pH. Similarly, the physicochemical properties at MSs significantly determined the AMF assemblages in the roots of C. japonica. Dominikia, Rhizophagus, and Sclerocystis coexist in the roots of C. japonica where soil physicochemical properties, particularly pH, determine their spatial dynamic, turnovers, and cohabitation patterns. These findings highlight the importance of simultaneous colonization of plants by multiple AMF.
Experience of rescue therapy with [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 in patients with primary or acquired resistance to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T
Authors: Gäble Alexander , Dierks Alexander , Rinscheid Andreas , Patt Marianne , Wienand Georgine , Pfob Christian H. , Kircher Malte , Fukushima Kazuhito , Nikolić Ana Antić , Enke Johanna S. , Janzen Tilman , Steinestel Julie , Kempter Hildegard , Trepel Martin , Weckermann Dorothea , Lapa Constantin , Bundschuh Ralph A.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Radioligand therapy is an increasingly important option for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Radiohybrid ligands targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are a novel group of theranostic radioligand therapy agents for which higher tumour absorbed radiation doses have been demonstrated compared to established PSMA ligands. Here, we report data from ten patients who were treated within a compassionate use program with the radiohybrid PSMA-ligand [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 after experiencing disease progression under treatment with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T.

Methods

Ten patients with advanced PSMA-positive prostate cancer who showed progression under treatment with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T received up to three cycles of rescue therapy with [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 (7.4–8.1 GBq per cycle). Efficacy (PSA response according to PCWG3 and RECIP) and overall survival were evaluated. Adverse events were recorded from first application.

Results

Despite progression with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T, after the first cycle of [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 rescue therapy, five patients (50%) showed a decrease in serum PSA level. In imaging, three of the ten patients (30%) showed a partial radiologic response. Four of the five patients with a decrease of serum PSA under [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 had initially responded to treatment with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T but had become resistant. However, the remaining patient had shown continuous disease progression during [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T therapy but showed an immediate response to [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1. The additional treatment with [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 was generally well tolerated by all patients.

Conclusions

Patients showing tumour progression while receiving [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-I&T radioligand therapy may benefit from rescue therapy with the novel radiohybrid PSMA ligand, [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1. Higher tumour absorbed radiation doses with [177Lu]Lu-rhPSMA-10.1 may overcome primary and acquired radiation resistance.

Graphical Abstract
In-situ observations of gelatinous zooplankton aggregations in inshore and offshore Arctic waters
Authors: Pantiukhin Dmitrii , Soto-Angel Joan J. , Hosia Aino , Hoving Henk-Jan , Havermans Charlotte
Published: November 2024

Gelatinous zooplankton (GZ), play a crucial role in marine food webs, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration, however, quantifying their abundances remains challenging due to their delicate body structure, complex life cycles and variable population dynamics. Their tendency to form sporadic, large-scale aggregations further complicate the differentiation between true ecosystem alterations and stochastic variations in their abundance. In the Arctic Ocean, our understanding of GZ aggregations remains generally incomplete. Using in-situ observations from a towed pelagic camera system, we assessed the diversity and vertical distributions of GZ in fjord and offshore environments in northern Norway and the Svalbard archipelago. We found that Atlantic water masses harbored the highest GZ abundance, while intermediate waters showed the highest diversity. We documented dense aggregations of Beroe spp. in Van Mijenfjorden in Svalbard (observed during ascent of the camera system, not quantified in ind. m−3) and Bolinopsis infundibulum in the open Barents Sea (> 2.67 ind. m−3 at 100 m). Other observed taxa included the hydrozoans Aglantha digitale, Melicertum octocostatum, Solmundella bitentaculata, Pandeidae sp. and Physonectae spp., the scyphozoan Cyanea capillata and the ctenophores Mertensia ovum and Euplokamis sp. By linking the vertical distribution and observations of local aggregations with physical and biotic factors, we described the potential drivers of the distributional patterns observed. Towed camera surveys contribute to accurate in-situ observations, thereby improving our understanding of GZ aggregations and distributions in the Arctic Ocean.
Association of ovarian teratoma with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: a case report and narrative review
Authors: Joseph Konrad , van der Hock Sarah , Seth Ishith , Hapangama Nipuni , Gibson Lara , Cuomo Roberto , Rozen Warren M. , Dhupar Nita
Published: November 2024

Background

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disorder which is strongly associated with ovarian teratomas in young female patients. The primary aim is to highlight the importance of considering NMDAR encephalitis in the differential diagnosis of young female patients presenting with acute or subacute neuropsychiatric symptoms, especially when accompanied by ovarian teratomas.

Case description

This case report and literature review detail the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of a 35-year-old G4P3 Indigenous woman who initially presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms and fever, having a history of extensive drug and alcohol use. Misdiagnosed initially, the patient's lack of response to standard treatments led to further investigations, revealing paraneoplastic anti-NMDAR encephalitis secondary to a left ovarian teratoma. The report examines the treatment regimen followed, including prednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, rituximab injections, and laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.

Conclusions

This case underscores the critical need for increased clinical vigilance for anti-NMDAR encephalitis in patients, particularly young females, presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms and potential ovarian teratomas. The literature review accompanying the case report provides valuable insights into the presentation, diagnosis, and management of this complex condition. Lastly, this study emphasised the diagnostic challenges inherent in paraneoplastic neuropsychiatric syndromes, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach in similar clinical scenarios.
Correlation of factor XIII subunit A with factor XIII activity in a population of parturient women
Authors: Frevert M. L. , Bürgi J. , Brun R. , Hothorn T. , Rösslein M. , Ochsenbein-Kölble N. , Haslinger C. , Korte W.
Published: November 2024

Background

The role of factor XIII in acute bleeding situations is gaining more and more importance. It has previously been shown that prepartum factor XIII activity has a significant impact on postpartum blood loss. Whether factor XIII antigen behaves in a similar manner is unknown. As postpartum hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide and factor XIII antigen determination might be available more readily in some centers as compared to factor XIII activity, this is an important question to answer, especially in the emergency situation of a postpartum hemorrhage.

Objective

To assess the correlation of prepartum factor XIII antigen with prepartum factor XIII activity and to evaluate the correlation between prepartum factor XIII antigen on measured postpartum blood loss.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study which analyzed the impact of prepartum blood coagulation factor XIII activity on postpartum blood loss in 1300 women at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland between October 2015 and November 2016 (“PPH-1300 study”). Blood loss was quantified using a previously validated technique. The association of factor XIII activity and factor XIII antigen was assessed by means of a Spearman rank correlation and differences were displayed using Bland–Altman plot and Passing–Bablok regression. The effect of the prepartum factor XIII antigen on blood loss was estimated by continuous outcome logistic regression.

Results

Prepartum factor XIII activity significantly correlated with prepartum factor XIII antigen (Spearman rank correlation coefficient for prepartum values 0.89, p < 0.001 and postpartum values 0.902, p < 0.001). Elevated values of prepartum factor XIII antigen showed a trend toward lower measured postpartum blood loss.

Conclusion

The correlation of factor XIII activity with factor XIII antigen (subunit A) in a large real-world sample as well as an association of prepartum factor XIII antigen and postpartum blood loss is observed. Factor XIII antigen determination, a highly automatable test, could be useful in emergency situations such as a PPH (as well as other bleeding situations) if the determination of factor XIII activity is not possible. To evaluate whether FXIII replenishment reduces blood loss is the focus of ongoing studies.
Patterns of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in a diverse group of gynecologic cancer survivors
Authors: Gerrity Charlotte , Sinno Abdulrahman , Natori Akina , Sookdeo Vandana , MacIntyre Jessica , George Sophia , Calfa Carmen , Crane Tracy E. , Penedo Frank J. , Schlumbrecht Matthew
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Racial and ethnic disparities in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among gynecologic cancer survivors are not well studied. We evaluated whether individual-level characteristics were associated with PROs in diverse gynecologic cancer survivors.

Methods

Gynecologic cancer patients in an ambulatory oncology clinic completed a psychosocial and practical needs assessment before their appointments through the electronic medical record (EMR) patient portal. Assessments were available in English and Spanish. Fatigue, pain, physical function, depression, and anxiety were assessed with Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) computer adaptive tests, and health-related quality of life was assessed by FACT-G7. PROs were dichotomized based on severity (normal/mild vs moderate/severe). Demographic and clinical information was collected. Analyses were performed using Chi-square, t-tests, and Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results

A total of 582 women completed the assessment; 20% (n = 116) were racial minorities, and 54.5% (n = 310) were Hispanic. A total of 192 (32.8%) completed the assessments in Spanish. Hispanic patients had lower mean fatigue scores (49.31 vs 51.74, p = 0.01), and patients whose preferred language was Spanish had lower mean depression (47.63 vs 48.97, p = 0.05) and fatigue scores (48.27 vs 51.27, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the severity of PROs by race, ethnicity, or preferred language. QOL scores were worse in patients with high symptom severity for anxiety (p = 0.04) and physical functioning (p < 0.01). Current smokers had worse physical functioning (13.4% vs 6.5%, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

We found no significant differences in severity of PROs by race, ethnicity, or preferred language. Quality of life scores were worse for patients with high symptom severity for physical functioning and anxiety.
Pairwise interaction of in-line spheroids settling in a linearly stratified fluid
Authors: Abdal Abdullah M. , Kahouadji Lyes , Shin Seungwon , Chergui Jalel , Juric Damir , Caulfield Colm-Cille P. , Matar Omar K.
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the transport of particles in density-stratified fluids, a prevalent natural phenomenon. In the ocean, particles and marine snow descend through fluids with significant density variations due to salinity and temperature gradients. Such heterogeneity in the background fluid affects the settling or rising rates of particles, often leading to accumulation at transitional density layers. Previous research has primarily focused on spherical particles, examining their isolated motion, pairwise interactions, and collective transport in stratified fluids. This work, however, extends the investigation to the interaction between two spheroidal particles settling in-line in a linearly stratified fluid. This study employs an immersed-boundary technique to perform particle-resolved numerical simulations in a three-dimensional Cartesian domain. The results showcase the effects of varying the stratification strength through the Froude number, the particles’ aspect ratios, and the initial separation distance between the particles on the interaction dynamics between the settling spheroids.
Accelerated-gradient-based generalized Levenberg–Marquardt method with oracle complexity bound and local quadratic convergence
Authors: Marumo Naoki , Okuno Takayuki , Takeda Akiko
Published: November 2024

Minimizing the sum of a convex function and a composite function appears in various fields. The generalized Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) method, also known as the prox-linear method, has been developed for such optimization problems. The method iteratively solves strongly convex subproblems with a damping term. This study proposes a new generalized LM method for solving the problem with a smooth composite function. The method enjoys three theoretical guarantees: iteration complexity bound, oracle complexity bound, and local convergence under a Hölderian growth condition. The local convergence results include local quadratic convergence under the quadratic growth condition; this is the first to extend the classical result for least-squares problems to a general smooth composite function. In addition, this is the first LM method with both an oracle complexity bound and local quadratic convergence under standard assumptions. These results are achieved by carefully controlling the damping parameter and solving the subproblems by the accelerated proximal gradient method equipped with a particular termination condition. Experimental results show that the proposed method performs well in practice for several instances, including classification with a neural network and nonnegative matrix factorization.
Drug pricing models, no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach: a systematic review and critical evaluation of pricing models in an evolving pharmaceutical landscape
Authors: Manders Evert A. , van den Berg Sibren , de Visser Saco J. , Hollak Carla E. M.
Published: November 2024

Access to new medicines is crucial for patients but increasingly sparks discussion due to high prices. Simultaneously, the growing emphasis on specialized products and uncertainty surrounding the long-term effectiveness of new drug classes brought to the market underscore the need for innovative pricing approaches. A systematic literature review of pharmaceutical pricing models, accompanied by a critical appraisal, was conducted to offer insights contributing to novel approaches balancing sustainable pharmaceutical innovation with affordability and accessibility for patients. Six different pricing models are identified: value based pricing, basic cost-based pricing, and four more comprehensive pricing models incorporating numerous elements: the cancer-drug-pricing model, AIM model, (Nuijtens) discounted cash flow, and the real-option rate of return method. Although there are many similarities among the models, each has unique assumptions for implementation. For instance, all models except for the standard incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and basic cost-based pricing consider the number of eligible patients and the remaining patent period. Only the AIM model and the Nuijtens discounted cash flow model use lump sums. Both the latter and the real-option rate of return method explicitly include the cost of capital as a major cost-based component. Recognizing the diverse applications of each model highlights the need for more differential and dynamic pricing tailored to the characteristics and therapeutic areas of each drug. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of cost transparency in achieving this goal. Consequently, these findings can help stakeholders develop sustainable and affordable drug pricing mechanisms that address the complexities of the ever-changing pharmaceutical landscape.
Diagnostic Performance of a Next-Generation Virtual/Augmented Reality Headset: A Pilot Study of Diverticulitis on CT
Authors: Murphy Paul M. , An Julie Y. , Wojdyla Luke M. , Searleman Adam C. , Khurana Aman , Loehfelm Thomas W. , Fowler Kathryn J. , Longhurst Christopher A.
Published: November 2024

Next-generation virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) headsets may rival the desktop computer systems that are approved for clinical interpretation of radiologic images, but require validation for high-resolution low-luminance diagnoses like diverticulitis. The primary aim of this study is to compare diagnostic performance for detecting diverticulitis on CT between radiologists using a headset versus a desktop. The secondary aim is to survey participating radiologists about the usage of both devices. This pilot study retrospectively included 110 patients (mean age 64 ± 14 years, 62 women) who had abdomen/pelvis CT scans for which the report mentioned the presence or absence of diverticulitis. Scans were dichotomized and matched by time, for a total of 55 cases with diverticulitis and 55 controls with no diverticulitis. Six radiologists were oriented to the VR/AR headset (Apple Vision Pro) and viewer app (Visage Ease VP) using ten scans. They each scored 100 unknown scans on a 6-level scale for diverticulitis (1 = no diverticulitis, 6 = diverticulitis) on the headset and then on a desktop. Time per case was recorded. Finally, they completed a survey using 5-level scales about the ease of use of the headset and viewer app (1 = difficult, 5 = easy), about their experience with the headset (1 = bad, 5 = good), and about their preference between devices (1 = desktop, 5 = headset). Summary statistics and multi-reader multi-case ROC curves were calculated. The AUC (and 95% confidence interval) for diverticulitis was 0.93 (0.88–0.97) with the headset and 0.94 (0.91–0.98) with the desktop (p = 0.40). The median (and first-third quartiles) of time per case was 57 (41–76) seconds for the headset and 31 (22–64) seconds for the desktop (p < 0.001). Average survey scores ranged from 3.3 to 5 for ease of use, from 3 to 4.7 for experience, and from 2.2 to 3.3 for preference. Diagnostic performance for detecting diverticulitis on CT was similar between the next-generation VR/AR headset and desktop. Ease of use, experience, and preference varied across different aspects of the devices and among radiologists.
Deep learning for surgical instrument recognition and segmentation in robotic-assisted surgeries: a systematic review
Authors: Ahmed Fatimaelzahraa Ali , Yousef Mahmoud , Ahmed Mariam Ali , Ali Hasan Omar , Mahboob Anns , Ali Hazrat , Shah Zubair , Aboumarzouk Omar , Al Ansari Abdulla , Balakrishnan Shidin
Published: November 2024

Applying deep learning (DL) for annotating surgical instruments in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) represents a significant advancement in surgical technology. This systematic review examines 48 studies that utilize advanced DL methods and architectures. These sophisticated DL models have shown notable improvements in the precision and efficiency of detecting and segmenting surgical tools. The enhanced capabilities of these models support various clinical applications, including real-time intraoperative guidance, comprehensive postoperative evaluations, and objective assessments of surgical skills. By accurately identifying and segmenting surgical instruments in video data, DL models provide detailed feedback to surgeons, thereby improving surgical outcomes and reducing complication risks. Furthermore, the application of DL in surgical education is transformative. The review underscores the significant impact of DL on improving the accuracy of skill assessments and the overall quality of surgical training programs. However, implementing DL in surgical tool detection and segmentation faces challenges, such as the need for large, accurately annotated datasets to train these models effectively. The manual annotation process is labor-intensive and time-consuming, posing a significant bottleneck. Future research should focus on automating the detection and segmentation process and enhancing the robustness of DL models against environmental variations. Expanding the application of DL models across various surgical specialties will be essential to fully realize this technology’s potential. Integrating DL with other emerging technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), also offers promising opportunities to further enhance the precision and efficacy of surgical procedures.
Artificial intelligence-based optimization techniques for optimal reactive power dispatch problem: a contemporary survey, experiments, and analysis
Authors: Abdel-Basset Mohamed , Mohamed Reda , Hezam Ibrahim M. , Sallam Karam M. , Alshamrani Ahmad M. , Hameed Ibrahim A.
Published: November 2024

The optimization challenge known as the optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem is of utmost importance in the electric power system owing to its substantial impact on stability, cost-effectiveness, and security. Several metaheuristic algorithms have been developed to address this challenge, but they all suffer from either being stuck in local minima, having an insufficiently fast convergence rate, or having a prohibitively high computational cost. Therefore, in this study, the performance of four recently published metaheuristic algorithms, namely the mantis search algorithm (MSA), spider wasp optimizer (SWO), nutcracker optimization algorithm (NOA), and artificial gorilla optimizer (GTO), is assessed to solve this problem with the purpose of minimizing power losses and voltage deviation. These algorithms were chosen due to the robustness of their local optimality avoidance and convergence speed acceleration mechanisms. In addition, a modified variant of NOA, known as MNOA, is herein proposed to further improve its performance. This modified variant does not combine the information of the newly generated solution with the current solution to avoid falling into local minima and accelerate the convergence speed. However, MNOA still needs further improvement to strengthen its performance for large-scale problems, so it is integrated with a newly proposed improvement mechanism to promote its exploration and exploitation operators; this hybrid variant was called HNOA. These proposed algorithms are used to estimate potential solutions to the ORPD problem in small-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale systems and are being tested and validated on the IEEE 14-bus, IEEE 39-bus, IEEE 57-bus, IEEE 118-bus, and IEEE 300-bus electrical power systems. In comparison to eight rival optimizers, HNOA is superior for large-scale systems (IEEE 118-bus and 300-bus systems) at optimizing power losses and voltage deviation; MNOA performs better for medium-scale systems (IEEE 57-bus); and MSA excels for small-scale systems (IEEE 14-bus and 39-bus systems).