bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulation and non-linear optimization of kinetic models for solid-state processes
Authors: Luciano Giorgio , Svoboda Roman 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Numerical simulations and optimizations methods are increasingly used in the field of kinetic analysis of solid-state processes, such as the crystallization of glassy materials. The influence of the simulations accuracy (with the two main factors being the initial value of conversion rate and the density of points) on the kinetic distortions was tested for the major solid-state kinetic models: nucleation-growth Johnson–Mehl–Avrami model, nth order reaction model, autocatalyzed nth order reaction model, diffusion models, contracting cylinder and contracting sphere models. The simulations were performed using a self-developed software based on the LSODA initial-value-problem-solver; the evaluation of the changes in the shape of the kinetic peaks was done using a commercial software that utilizes a standardized multivariate kinetic analysis approach. The accuracy was found to be influenced mainly by initial value of conversion rate. For majority of the tested kinetic models, the simulation accuracy had negligible effect on the consequently determined values activation energy, pre-exponential factor, integrated area of the kinetic peaks, or the asymmetry-determining values of the models kinetic exponents. Significant influence of the simulation accuracy was observed for the models with active autocatalytic features, which were identified to be the main source of the deviations introduced and propagated through the simulation algorithm. Contrary to the previous research, the deviations of the simulated peaks shape cannot be associated solely with the positive asymmetry of the kinetic peaks.
An ultra-sensitive SARS-CoV-2 antigen optical biosensor based on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functionalized magnetic-fluorescent silica nanoparticles
Authors: Maulana Muhammad Yovinanda , Raissa Raissa , Nurrudin Ahmad , Andreani Agustina Sus , Angelina Marissa , Septiani Ni Luh Wulan , Yuliarto Brian , Jenie S N Aisyiyah 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This work reports on the design and synthesis of an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functionalized magnetic fluorescent silica nanoparticles (Fe-FSNP) as a biosensing platform to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen. Iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized via ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation and then coated with fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNP) through the sol–gel method forming the Fe-FSNP samples. Silica obtained from local geothermal powerplant was used in this work and Rhodamine B was chosen as the incorporated fluorescent dye, hence this reports for the first time ACE-2 was immobilized on the natural silica surface. The Fe-FSNP nanoparticle consists of a 18–25 nm magnetic core and a silica shell with a thickness of 30 nm as confirmed from the transmission electron microscopy image. Successful surface functionalization of the Fe-FSNP with ACE-2 as bioreceptor was conducted through hydrosylilation reaction and confirmed through the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The detection of SARS-Cov-2 antigen by Fe-FSNP/ACE2 was measured through the change in its maximum fluorescence intensity at 588 nm where fluorescence- quenching had occurred. The biosensing platform showed a rapid response at 30 min with a linear range of 10–6 to 10−2
μg ml–1. The magnetic-fluorescent properties of the nanoparticle enables an ultra-sensitive detection of SARS-Cov-2 antigen with the limit of detection as low as 2 fg ml–1.
Porous rod-shaped Fe2O3/Ag/BP: a novel substrate for highly sensitive SERS detection of persistent organic pollutants
Authors: Chen Hang , Han Caiqin , Zhang Le , Wu Ying 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
A surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate of porous rod-shaped ferric oxide (Fe2O3) combined with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and black phosphorus (Fe2O3/Ag/BP) was fabricated to detect the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) at low concentration. The organic pollutant Rhodamine 6G (R6G) was used as the probe molecule to study the performances of Fe2O3/Ag/BP, and 4-chlorobiphenyl (PCB-3) was the target of detection. The limit of detection (LOD) of R6G based on this novel SERS substrate Fe2O3/Ag/BP was as low as 1.0 × 10−15 M, which was five orders of magnitude lower than that of Fe2O3/Ag (10−10 M). The enhancement factor (EF) of Fe2O3/Ag/BP was 6.44 × 108, which was 3.1 times higher than that of porous rod-shaped Fe2O3/Ag (2.08 × 108). The Raman signal of R6G based on Fe2O3/Ag/BP had a good homogeneity, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of Raman signal intensities of R6G at 1643 cm−1 was only 5.97%. Furthermore, the Fe2O3/Ag/BP substrate exhibited a recyclability through the photocatalytic degradation of R6G. The LOD of PCB-3 based on Fe2O3/Ag/BP was 10−9 M. Besides, Fe2O3/Ag/BP had a high SERS activity even it was kept in a centrifuge tube without requiring complicated treatment. These results highlight the potential application of Fe2O3/Ag/BP for ultra-trace detection of POPs in the environment.
Core–shell engineered g-C3N4 @ NaNbO3 for enhancing photocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Wang Shuo , Yin Haotian , Wang Lei , Ding Jing , Zhang Jinfeng , Wan Hui , Guan Guofeng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide is a technology that effectively utilizes CO2 and solar energy. Sodium niobate (NaNbO3) has received much attention in the field of photocatalysis due to its excellent photocatalytic properties. However, the application of NaNbO3 in the field of photocatalysis is still limited by poor reaction to visible light and easy recombination of photo-generated carriers. Heterojunction with g-C3N4 to construct core–shell structure can effectively improve the above problems. Combining the two can design a core–shell composite material that is beneficial for photocatalytic reduction of CO2. Herein, we prepared a core–shell heterojunction g-C3N4/NaNbO3 by uniformly impregnating urea on the surface of NaNbO3 chromium nanofibers with NaNbO3 nanofibers prepared by electrospinning as a catalyst carrier, and urea as a precursor of g-C3N4. The core–shell structure of g-C3N4/NaNbO3 was verified by a series of characterization methods such as XPS, XRD, and TEM. It was found that under the same conditions, the methanol yield of core–shell g-C3N4/NaNbO3 was 12.86 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is twice that of pure NaNbO3 (6.67 μmol·g−1·h−1). This article highlights an impregnation method to build core–shell structures for improved photocatalytic reduction of CO2.
Recovery of the spatially-variant deformations in dual-panel PET reconstructions using deep-learning
Authors: Raj Juhi , Millardet Maël , Krishnamoorthy Srilalan , Karp Joel S , Surti Suleman , Matej Samuel 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Dual panel PET systems, such as Breast-PET (B-PET) scanner, exhibit strong asymmetric and anisotropic spatially-variant deformations in the reconstructed images due to the limited-angle data and strong depth of interaction effects for the oblique LORs inherent in such systems. In our previous work, we studied time-of-flight (TOF) effects and image-based spatially-variant PSF resolution models within dual-panel PET reconstruction to reduce these deformations. The application of PSF based models led to better and more uniform quantification of small lesions across the field of view (FOV). However, the ability of such a model to correct for PSF deformation is limited to small objects. On the other hand, large object deformations caused by the limited-angle reconstruction cannot be corrected with the PSF modeling alone. In this work, we investigate the ability of deep-learning (DL) networks to recover such strong spatially-variant image deformations using first simulated PSF deformations in image space of a generic dual panel PET system and then using simulated and acquired phantom reconstructions from dual panel B-PET system developed in our lab at University of Pennsylvania. For the studies using real B-PET data, the network was trained on the simulated synthetic data sets providing ground truth for objects resembling experimentally acquired phantoms on which the network deformation corrections were then tested. The synthetic and acquired limited-angle B-PET data were reconstructed using DIRECT-RAMLA reconstructions, which were then used as the network inputs. Our results demonstrate that DL approaches can significantly eliminate deformations of limited angle systems and improve their quantitative performance.
Validation of complex radiotherapy techniques using polymer gel dosimetry
Authors: Karger Christian P , Elter Alina , Dorsch Stefan , Mann Philipp , Pappas Evangelos , Oldham Mark 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Modern radiotherapy delivers highly conformal dose distributions to irregularly shaped target volumes while sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Due to the complex planning and delivery techniques, dose verification and validation of the whole treatment workflow by end-to-end tests became much more important and polymer gel dosimeters are one of the few possibilities to capture the delivered dose distribution in 3D. The basic principles and formulations of gel dosimetry and its evaluation methods are described and the available studies validating device-specific geometrical parameters as well as the dose delivery by advanced radiotherapy techniques, such as 3D-CRT/IMRT and stereotactic radiosurgery treatments, the treatment of moving targets, online-adaptive magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy as well as proton and ion beam treatments, are reviewed. The present status and limitations as well as future challenges of polymer gel dosimetry for the validation of complex radiotherapy techniques are discussed.
Time scales in the dynamics of political opinions and the voter model
Authors: Meyer Philipp G , Metzler Ralf 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Opinions in human societies are measured by political polls on time scales of months to years. Such opinion polls do not resolve the effects of individual interactions but constitute a stochastic process. Voter models with zealots (individuals who do not change their opinions) can describe the mean-field dynamics in systems where no consensus is reached. We show that for large populations, the voter model with zealots is equivalent to the noisy voter model and it has a single characteristic time scale associated with the number of zealots in the population. We discuss which parameters are observable in real data by analysing time series of approval ratings of several political leaders that match the statistical behaviour of the voter model using the technique of the time-averaged mean squared displacement. The characteristic time scale of political opinions in societies is around 12 months, so it cannot be resolved by analysing election data, for which the resolution is several years. The effective population size in all fitted data sets is much smaller than the real population size, which indicates positive correlations of successive voter model steps. We also discuss the heterogeneity of voters as a cause of subdiffusion on long time scales, i.e. slow changes in the society.
Prospecting for rare earth element (hyper)accumulators in the Paris Herbarium using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy reveals new distributional and taxon discoveries
Authors: Goudard Léo , Blaudez Damien , Sirguey Catherine , Purwadi Imam , Invernon Vanessa , Rouhan Germinal , van der Ent Antony 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly crucial for modern technologies. Plants could be used as a biogeochemical pathfinder and a tool to extract REEs from deposits. However, a paucity of information on suitable plants for these tasks exists.

Methods
We aimed to discover new REE-(hyper)accumulating plant species by performing an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) survey at the Herbarium of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN, Paris, France). We selected specific families based on the likelihood of containing REE-hyperaccumulating species, using known taxa that accumulate REEs. A total of 4425 specimens, taken in the two main evolutionary lineages of extant vascular plants, were analysed, including the two fern families Blechnaceae (n = 561) and Gleicheniaceae (n = 1310), and the two flowering plant families Phytolaccaceae (n = 1137) and Juglandaceae (n = 1417).

Key Results
Yttrium (Y) was used as a proxy for REEs for methodological reasons, and a total of 268 specimens belonging to the genera Blechnopsis (n = 149), Dicranopteris (n = 75), Gleichenella (n = 32), Phytolacca (n = 6), Carya (n = 4), Juglans (n = 1) and Sticherus (n = 1) were identified with Y concentrations ranging from the limit of detection (LOD) &gt;49 µg g−1 up to 1424 µg g−1. Subsequently, analysis of fragments of selected specimens by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) revealed that this translated to up to 6423 µg total REEs g−1 in Dicranopteris linearis and up to 4278 µg total REEs g−1 in Blechnopsis orientalis which are among the highest values ever recorded for REE hyperaccumulation in plants. It also proved the validity of Y as an indicator for REEs in XRF analysis of herbarium specimens. The presence of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) was also studied by XRF in the selected specimens. Mn was detected in 1440 specimens ranging from the detection limit at 116 µg g−1 up to 3807 µg g−1 whilst Zn was detected in 345 specimens ranging from the detection limit at 77 µg g−1 up to 938 µg g−1.

Conclusions and Implications
This study led to the discovery of REE accumulation in a range of plant species, substantially higher concentrations in species known to be REE hyperaccumulators, and records of REE hyperaccumulators outside of the well-studied populations in China.
Uncertainty directed factorial clinical trials
Authors: Kotecha Gopal , Ventz Steffen , Fortini Sandra , Trippa Lorenzo 
Published: February 2024

Summary
The development and evaluation of novel treatment combinations is a key component of modern clinical research. The primary goals of factorial clinical trials of treatment combinations range from the estimation of intervention-specific effects, or the discovery of potential synergies, to the identification of combinations with the highest response probabilities. Most factorial studies use balanced or block randomization, with an equal number of patients assigned to each treatment combination, irrespective of the specific goals of the trial. Here, we introduce a class of Bayesian response-adaptive designs for factorial clinical trials with binary outcomes. The study design was developed using Bayesian decision-theoretic arguments and adapts the randomization probabilities to treatment combinations during the enrollment period based on the available data. Our approach enables the investigator to specify a utility function representative of the aims of the trial, and the Bayesian response-adaptive randomization algorithm aims to maximize this utility function. We considered several utility functions and factorial designs tailored to them. Then, we conducted a comparative simulation study to illustrate relevant differences of key operating characteristics across the resulting designs. We also investigated the asymptotic behavior of the proposed adaptive designs. We also used data summaries from three recent factorial trials in perioperative care, smoking cessation, and infectious disease prevention to define realistic simulation scenarios and illustrate advantages of the introduced trial designs compared to other study designs.
For Better or Worse? Improving the Response to Domestic Abuse Offenders on Probation
Authors: Renehan Nicole , Gadd David 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
As the Ministry of Justice looks to develop a ‘new generation’ of programmes to reduce reoffending, we reflect on what can be learnt from the only accredited domestic abuse programme in England and Wales, Building Better Relationships (BBR). Findings from an ethnographic study of BBR are situated within the Probation Inspectorate’s recent inspection of domestic abuse work within the newly unified Probation Service which revealed a fractured and overstretched workforce. Our central argument is that if we are to avoid making matters worse, practitioners must be equipped with the time, supervision and skill needed to maintain something akin to a ‘therapeutic alliance’, that will endure in moments of crisis in their own lives as well as those of their clients.
Lusting out loud: racialized aurality, podcast intimacy, and the uses of thirst
Authors: Johnson Jacqueline E 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
This article examines how the podcast Thirst Aid Kit makes Black women’s desires—often erased or distorted in media—audible. Using Critical Technocultural Discourse Analysis (CTDA) and feminist close reading, I make three interrelated arguments: (1) The hosts’ use of regional, Black vernaculars and cultural touchstones disrupts podcasting’s Whiteness and builds intimacy with Black women listeners; (2) The podcast’s aural expressions of thirst articulate Black women’s desires rather than shield them from broader publics; (3) The show’s expression of thirst is connected to the romance genre; however, Thirst Aid Kit, ruptures the genre’s investment in Whiteness and the happy ending. This article builds from and intervenes in podcasting research, studies of Black women and media, and popular romance studies.
Allogeneic NK cells induce the in vitro activation of monocyte-derived and conventional type-2 dendritic cells and trigger an inflammatory response under cancer-associated conditions
Authors: Toffoli E C , van Vliet A A , Forbes C , Arns A J , Verheul H W M , Tuynman J , van der Vliet H J , Spanholtz J , de Gruijl T D 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes capable to recognize and kill virus-infected and cancer cells. In the past years, the use of allogeneic NK cells as anti-cancer therapy gained interest due to their ability to induce graft-versus-cancer responses without causing graft-versus-host disease and multiple protocols have been developed to produce high numbers of activated NK cells. While the ability of these cells to mediate tumor kill has been extensively studied, less is known about their capacity to influence the activity of other immune cells that may contribute to a concerted anti-tumor response in the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, we analyzed how an allogeneic off-the-shelf cord blood stem cell-derived NK-cell product influenced the activation of dendritic cells (DC). Crosstalk between NK cells and healthy donor monocyte-derived DC (MoDC) resulted in the release of IFNγ and TNF, MoDC activation, and the release of the T-cell-recruiting chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10. Moreover, in the presence of prostaglandin-E2, NK cell/MoDC crosstalk antagonized the detrimental effect of IL-10 on MoDC maturation leading to higher expression of multiple (co-)stimulatory markers. The NK cells also induced activation of conventional DC2 (cDC2) and CD8+ T cells, and the release of TNF, GM-CSF, and CXCL9/10 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The activated phenotype of MoDC/cDC2 and the increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and T-cell-recruiting chemokines resulting from NK cell/DC crosstalk should contribute to a more inflamed TME and may thus enhance the efficacy of T-cell-based therapies.
External Validation of the 2023 Duke–International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Criteria for Infective Endocarditis
Authors: van der Vaart Thomas W , Bossuyt Patrick M M , Durack David T , Baddour Larry M , Bayer Arnold S , Durante-Mangoni Emanuele , Holland Thomas L , Karchmer Adolf W , Miro Jose M , Moreillon Philippe , Rasmussen Magnus , Selton-Suty Christine , Fowler Vance G , van der Meer Jan T M 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
The 2023 Duke–International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID) criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) were introduced to improve classification of IE for research and clinical purposes. External validation studies are required.

Methods
We studied consecutive patients with suspected IE referred to the IE team of Amsterdam University Medical Center (from October 2016 to March 2021). An international expert panel independently reviewed case summaries and assigned a final diagnosis of “IE” or “not IE,” which served as the reference standard, to which the “definite” Duke-ISCVID classifications were compared. We also evaluated accuracy when excluding cardiac surgical and pathologic data (“clinical” criteria). Finally, we compared the 2023 Duke-ISCVID with the 2000 modified Duke criteria and the 2015 and 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) criteria.

Results
A total of 595 consecutive patients with suspected IE were included: 399 (67%) were adjudicated as having IE; 111 (19%) had prosthetic valve IE, and 48 (8%) had a cardiac implantable electronic device IE. The 2023 Duke-ISCVID criteria were more sensitive than either the modified Duke or 2015 ESC criteria (84.2% vs 74.9% and 80%, respectively; P &lt; .001) without significant loss of specificity. The 2023 Duke-ISCVID criteria were similarly sensitive but more specific than the 2023 ESC criteria (94% vs 82%; P &lt; .001). The same pattern was seen for the clinical criteria (excluding surgical/pathologic results). New modifications in the 2023 Duke-ISCVID criteria related to “major microbiological” and “imaging” criteria had the most impact.

Conclusions
The 2023 Duke-ISCVID criteria represent a significant advance in the diagnostic classification of patients with suspected IE.
Evaluation of the 2023 Duke-International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases Criteria in a Multicenter Cohort of Patients With Suspected Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Matthaios , Monney Pierre , Frank Michelle , Tzimas Georgios , Tozzi Piergiorgio , Kirsch Matthias , Van Hemelrijck Mathias , Bauernschmitt Robert , Epprecht Jana , Guery Benoit , Hasse Barbara 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background
Since publication of Duke criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis, several modifications have been proposed. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Duke-ISCVID (International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases) 2023 criteria compared to prior versions from 2000 (Duke-Li 2000) and 2015 (Duke-ESC [European Society for Cardiology] 2015).

Methods
This study was conducted at 2 university hospitals between 2014 and 2022 among patients with suspected IE. A case was classified as IE (final IE diagnosis) by the Endocarditis Team. Sensitivity for each version of the Duke criteria was calculated among patients with confirmed IE based on pathological, surgical, and microbiological data. Specificity for each version of the Duke criteria was calculated among patients with suspected IE for whom IE diagnosis was ruled out.

Results
In total, 2132 episodes with suspected IE were included, of which 1101 (52%) had final IE diagnosis. Definite IE by pathologic criteria was found in 285 (13%), 285 (13%), and 345 (16%) patients using the Duke-Li 2000, Duke-ESC 2015, or the Duke-ISCVID 2023 criteria, respectively. IE was excluded by histopathology in 25 (1%) patients. The Duke-ISCVID 2023 clinical criteria showed a higher sensitivity (84%) compared to previous versions (70%). However, specificity of the new clinical criteria was lower (60%) compared to previous versions (74%).

Conclusions
The Duke-ISCVID 2023 criteria led to an increase in sensitivity compared to previous versions. Further studies are needed to evaluate items that could increase sensitivity by reducing the number of IE patients misclassified as possible, but without having detrimental effect on specificity of Duke criteria.