Automatic feature selection and weighting in molecular systems using Differentiable Information Imbalance.

Feature selection is essential in the analysis of molecular systems and many other fields, but several uncertainties remain: What is the optimal number of features for a simplified, interpretable model that retains essential information? How should features with different units be aligned, and how should their relative importance be weighted? Here, we introduce the Differentiable Information Imbalance (DII), an automated method to rank information content between sets of features. Using distances in a ground truth feature space, DII identifies a low-dimensional subset of features that best preserves these relationships. Each feature is scaled by a weight, which is optimized by minimizing the DII through gradient descent.

Modulating synaptic plasticity with metal-organic framework for information-filterable artificial retina.

Neuroprosthetics equipped with artificial synapses hold promise to address some most intricate medical problems, such as human sensory disorders. Yet, it is necessitated and of paramount importance for neuroprosthetics to be able to differentiate significant and insignificant signals. Here, we present an information-filterable artificial retina system that integrates artificial synapses with a signal-integration device for signal perception and processing with attention.

Tumor cell-based liquid biopsy using high-throughput microfluidic enrichment of entire leukapheresis product.

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in blood encompass DNA, RNA, and protein biomarkers, but clinical utility is limited by their rarity. To enable tumor epitope-agnostic interrogation of large blood volumes, we developed a high-throughput microfluidic device, depleting hematopoietic cells through high-flow channels and force-amplifying magnetic lenses. Here, we apply this technology to analyze patient-derived leukapheresis products, interrogating a mean blood volume of 5.

Neonicotinoid Pesticides in African Agriculture: What do we know and what should be the focus for future research?

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoid pesticides (NEO-P) within African agricultural ecosystems and identifies research gaps, particularly in the monitoring and regulation of pesticide use. We observed a decline in the numbers of NEO-P studies conducted in Africa since 2019 with 40.7% of the countries reporting at least one study to date.

Effect of FLASH dose-rate and oxygen concentration in the production of HOin cellular-like media versus water: a Monte Carlo track-structure study.

To study the effect of dose-rate in the time evolution of chemical yields produced in pure water versus a cellular-like environment for FLASH radiotherapy research. A version of TOPAS-nBio with Tau-Leaping algorithm was used to simulate the homogenous chemistry stage of water radiolysis using three chemical models: 1) liquid water model that considered scavenging of eaq-, H● by dissolved oxygen; 2) Michaels & Hunt model that considered scavenging of ●OH, eaq-, and H● by biomolecules existing in cellular environment; 3) Wardman model that considered model 2) and the chemical repair enzyme glutathione (GHS). H2O2 concentrations at conventional and FLASH dose-rates were compared with published measurements.

Two-Dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: A Theory and Simulation Perspective.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) are a promising class of functional materials for fundamental physics explorations and applications in next-generation electronics, catalysis, quantum technologies, and energy-related fields. Theory and simulations have played a pivotal role in recent advancements, from understanding physical properties and discovering new materials to elucidating synthesis processes and designing novel devices. The key has been developments in theory, deep learning, molecular dynamics, high-throughput computations, and multiscale methods.

Tantalum-stabilized ruthenium oxide electrocatalysts for industrial water electrolysis.

The iridium oxide (IrO) catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction used industrially (in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers) is scarce and costly. Although ruthenium oxide (RuO) is a promising alternative, its poor stability has hindered practical application. We used well-defined extended surface models to identify that RuO undergoes structure-dependent corrosion that causes Ru dissolution.

The fungal gut microbiota in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.

Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome may play a role in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the majority of the studies have focused on gut bacterial communities; none have examined the fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in persons with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS). We examined the gut mycobiota in persons with and without POMS through a cross-sectional examination of the gut mycobiota from 46 participants' stool samples (three groups: 18 POMS, 13 acquired monophasic demyelinating syndromes [monoADS], and 15 unaffected controls).

A comparative analysis of Marburg virus-infected bat and human models from public high-throughput sequencing data.

Marburg virus (MARV) disease (MVD) is an uncommon yet serious viral hemorrhagic fever that impacts humans and non-human primates. In humans, infection by the MARV is marked by rapid onset, high transmissibility, and elevated mortality rates, presenting considerable obstacles to the development of vaccines and treatments. Bats, particularly , are suspected to be natural hosts of MARV.

Accuracy of warm ischemia time measurement using a surgical intelligence software in partial nephrectomies: A validation study.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to compare the accuracy of warm ischemia times (WITs) derived by a surgical artificial intelligence (AI) software to those documented in surgeon operative reports during partial nephrectomy procedures and to assess the potential of this technology in evaluating postoperative renal function.

Patients And Methods: A surgical AI software (Theator Inc., Palo Alto, CA) was used to capture and analyse videos of partial nephrectomies performed between October 2023 and April 2024.

Wide field of view large aperture meta-doublet eyepiece.

Wide field of view and light weight optics are critical for advanced eyewear, with applications in augmented/virtual reality and night vision. Conventional refractive lenses are often stacked to correct aberrations at a wide field of view, leading to limited performance and increased size and weight. In particular, simultaneously achieving a wide field of view and large aperture for light collection is desirable but challenging to realize in a compact form-factor.

Capillary Isoelectric Focusing of Proteins and Peptides Using an In-Line cIEF-ESI Interface with Improved MS Characteristics.

Intact protein analysis using mass spectrometry (MS) is an important technique to characterize and provide a comprehensive overview of protein complexity. It is also the basis of "top-down" approaches in proteomics to describe the proteoforms of single protein's post-translational modifications (PTMs). MS-based analysis of intact proteins benefits from high-resolution separations prior to electrospray ionization.

The Role of Robotics in Cardiac Surgery: Innovations, Outcomes, and Future Prospects.

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the use of robotic technology in medical surgery, especially in heart surgery. Many advancements in surgery have been made possible by the development of these robotic devices, such as the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, California, United States). These advancements include improved ergonomics, three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and increased dexterity.

Professor Dr. Shuying Liu (1943.1-2023.11): A Devoted Mass Spectrometrist and Esteemed Mentor.

A year has gone by, and it is still hard to believe that Dr. Shuying Liu had left us on November 22, 2023. Most her colleagues and friends remember vividly her passionate images captured in the talk she filmed for the Chinese Mass Spectrometry Conference 2020-2023 in June 2023.

High altitudes, deeper insights: multicenter cardiovascular magnetic resonance study on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: Altitude is a known factor in cardiovascular disease, but its impact on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether living at high altitudes affects the extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and left ventricular (LV) strain in HCM patients.

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted across four hospitals located at different altitudes in China.