Estimating Visual Acuity With Spectacle Correction From Fundus Photos Using Artificial Intelligence.

Importance: Determining spectacle-corrected visual acuity (VA) is essential when managing many ophthalmic diseases. If artificial intelligence (AI) evaluations of macular images estimated this VA from a fundus image, AI might provide spectacle-corrected VA without technician costs, reduce visit time, or facilitate home monitoring of VA from fundus images obtained outside of the clinic.

Objective: To estimate spectacle-corrected VA measured on a standard eye chart among patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) in clinical practice settings using previously validated AI algorithms evaluating best-corrected VA from fundus photographs in eyes with DME.

Modeling DNA methyltransferase function to predict epigenetic correlation patterns in healthy and cancer cells.

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic modification that orchestrates chromatin remodelers that suppress transcription, and aberrations in DNA methylation result in a variety of conditions such as cancers and developmental disorders. While it is understood that methylation occurs at CpG-rich DNA regions, it is less understood how distinct methylation profiles are established within various cell types. In this work, we develop a molecular-transport model that depicts the genomic exploration of DNA methyltransferase within a multiscale DNA environment, incorporating biologically relevant factors like methylation rate and CpG density to predict how patterns are established.

Accurate Classification of Human CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and CD19+ B Cells Isolated from Splenocytes by Cross-Polarized Diffraction Image Pairs.

Diffraction imaging of cells allows rapid phenotyping by the response of intracellular molecules to coherent illumination. However, its ability to distinguish numerous types of human leukocytes remains to be investigated. Here, we show that accurate classification of three lymphocyte subtypes can be achieved with features extracted from cross-polarized diffraction image (p-DI) pairs.

Highly Thermal-Conductive Cubic Boron Arsenide: Single-Crystal Growth, Properties, and Future Thin-Film Epitaxy.

Heat dissipation has become a critical challenge in modern electronics, driving the need for a revolution in thermal management strategies beyond traditional packaging materials, thermal interface materials, and heat sinks. Cubic boron arsenide (c-BAs) offers a promising solution, thanks to its combination of high thermal conductivity and high ambipolar mobility, making it highly suitable for applications in both electronic devices and thermal management. However, challenges remain, particularly in the large-scale synthesis of a high-quality material and the tuning of its physical properties.

Chemodivergent and Enantioselective Synthesis of Spirobi[dihydrophenalene] Structures.

The development and enantioselective synthesis of two types of -symmetric spirobi[dihydrophenalene] structures is reported. The reaction proceeds via rhodium-catalyzed 2-fold asymmetric conjugate arylation of dienones followed by BF·OEt-promoted spirocyclization to give the enantiopure spiro products. Additive-dependent chemodivergent synthesis of 3,3'-diarylated 2,2',3,3'-tetrahydro-1,1'-spirobi[phenalene]-9,9'-diols (3,3'-Ar-SPHENOLs) and the corresponding spiro diary ethers from the same intermediate is achieved.

A systematic review of salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies: prevention strategies.

Purpose: This systematic review aimed to assess the updated literature for the prevention of salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia induced by non-surgical cancer therapies.

Methods: Electronic databases of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) that investigated interventions to prevent salivary gland hypofunction and/or xerostomia. Literature search began from the 2010 systematic review publications from the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ISOO) up to February 2024.

Flexible and lead-free polymer composites for X-ray shielding: comparison of polyvinyl chloride matrix filled with nanoparticles of tungsten oxides.

Polymer nanocomposites have been investigated as lightweight and suitable alternatives to lead-based clothing. The present study aims to fabricate flexible, lead-free, X-ray-shielding composites using a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix and different nanostructures. Four different nanostructures containing impure tungsten oxide, tungsten oxide (WO), barium tungstate (BaWO), and bismuth tungstate (BiWO) were synthesized through various methods.

Geophysical and geochemical characterization of Odogbo Dumpsite, Ijebu Ijesa, Southwestern Nigeria.

Due to incessant contamination of the groundwater system near the dumpsite in southwestern Nigeria Basement Complex, this study seeks to evaluate the impact of the Odogbo dumpsite on the local groundwater system by integrating geophysical and geochemical methodologies. Aeromagnetic data covering the study area was acquired, processed, and enhanced to delineate basement features that could potentially be passing plumes to the groundwater system. Concurrently, geoelectric methods using 2-D dipole-dipole imaging and vertical electrical sounding (VES) were utilized to characterize the vulnerability indices of the lithologies underlying the dumpsite.

Application of active biomonitoring technique for the assessment of air pollution by potentially toxic elements in urban areas in the Kemerovo Region, Russia.

In Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass, Southwest Siberia), there is the largest coal basin in Russia and one of the largest in the world. Active moss biomonitoring was applied to assess the impact of potentially toxic elements on air pollution in five urban areas of the region. In each of the chosen urban regions, the moss bags were exposed in November and December of 2022 at locations with varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure.

Fluoroscopy-guided aspiration of the acutely dislocated total hip arthroplasty: a feasible, high-yield, and safe procedure.

Objective: To determine the feasibility, yield, and safety of fluoroscopic-guided aspiration of the acutely dislocated total hip arthroplasty (AD-THA).

Materials And Methods: IRB-approved, retrospective review of fluoroscopic-guided aspirations of AD-THA (January 2005-December 2023) was performed. Data from electronic charts and fluoroscopy images/reports were obtained.

Deep learning-based image domain reconstruction enhances image quality and pulmonary nodule detection in ultralow-dose CT with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V.

Objectives: To evaluate the image quality and lung nodule detectability of ultralow-dose CT (ULDCT) with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASiR-V) post-processed using a deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR)-based image domain compared to low-dose CT (LDCT) and ULDCT without DLIR.

Materials And Methods: A total of 210 patients undergoing lung cancer screening underwent LDCT (mean ± SD, 0.81 ± 0.

Automated classification of coronary LEsions fRom coronary computed Tomography angiography scans with an updated deep learning model: ALERT study.

Objectives: The use of deep learning models for quantitative measurements on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) may reduce inter-reader variability and increase efficiency in clinical reporting. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of a recently updated deep learning model (CorEx-2.0) for quantifying coronary stenosis, compared separately with two expert CCTA readers as references.

Impact of the Electrode Material on the Performance of Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells.

Light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are promising candidates for fully solution-processed lighting applications because they can comprise a single active-material layer and air-stable electrodes. While their performance is often claimed to be independent of the electrode material selection due to the in situ formation of electric double layers (EDLs), we demonstrate conceptually and experimentally that this understanding needs to be modified. Specifically, the exciton generation zone is observed to be affected by the electrode work function.

Raman Signature of Stripe Domains in Monolayer WMoS Alloys.

We study the Raman signature of stripe domains in monolayer WMoS alloys, characterized using experimental techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These stripe domains were found in star-shaped monolayer WS exhibiting a high concentration of molybdenum (Mo) atoms in its central region, and unique Raman peaks that were not previously reported. We attribute these peaks to the splitting of the original doubly degenerate E modes, arising from the lower symmetry of the W-Mo stripe domains.

Free Energy of Membrane Pore Formation and Stability from Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of pore formation is crucial for elucidating fundamental biological processes and developing therapeutic strategies, such as the design of drug delivery systems and antimicrobial agents. Although experimental methods can provide valuable information, they often lack the temporal and spatial resolution necessary to fully capture the dynamic stages of pore formation. In this study, we present two novel collective variables (CVs) designed to characterize membrane pore behavior, particularly its energetics, through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Mechanical Properties of Eye Lens Cortical and Nuclear Membranes and the Whole Lens.

Purpose: To elucidate the mechanical properties of the bovine lens cortical membrane (CM), the nuclear membrane (NM) containing cholesterol bilayer domains (CBDs), and whole bovine lenses.

Methods: The total lipids (lipids plus cholesterol) from the cortex and nucleus of a single bovine lens were isolated using the monophasic methanol extraction method. Supported CMs and NMs were prepared from total lipids extracted from the cortex and nucleus, respectively, using a rapid solvent exchange method and probe-tip sonication, followed by the fusion of unilamellar vesicles on a flat, freshly cleaved mica surface.

Multi-fold fermionic and bosonic states in topologically non-trivial TiPd.

The topological properties of the A15-type compound TiPd reveal a complex landscape of multi-fold fermionic and bosonic states, as uncovered through calculations within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The electronic band structure shows multi-fold degenerate crossings at the high-symmetry point R near the Fermi level, which evolves into 4-fold and 8-fold degenerate fermionic states upon the introduction of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Likewise, the phononic band structure features multi-fold degenerate bosonic crossings at the same R point.

Temporal Trends of Subsequent CNS Malignancies Among Survivors of Childhood Cancer.

Purpose: It is not known whether temporal changes in childhood cancer therapy have reduced risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs) of the central nervous system (CNS), a frequently fatal late effect of cancer therapy.

Methods: Five-year survivors of primary childhood cancers diagnosed between 1970-1999 in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study with a subsequent CNS SMN were identified. Cumulative incidence rates and standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were compared among survivors diagnosed between 1970-1979 (N = 6223), 1980-1989 (N = 9680), and 1990-1999 (N = 8999).

A review of Kilovoltage (kV) Radiotherapy Treatment in the UK: Quality Control, Radiation Dosimetry, Treatment Equipment and Workload.

Objectives: To survey kilovoltage (kV) radiotherapy in the UK, updating a 2016 study, focussing on radiotherapy physics, including equipment quality control (QC) and radiation dosimetry, with information on installed equipment and clinical activity.

Methods: All UK radiotherapy physics departments (n = 68) were invited to complete a comprehensive survey. An analysis of the installed equipment base, patient numbers, clinical activity, QC testing and radiation dosimetry processes were undertaken.

Surface Circular Photogalvanic Effect in Tl-Pb Monolayer Alloys on Si(111) with Giant Rashba Splitting.

We have found that surface superstructures made of "monolayer alloys" of Tl and Pb on Si(111), having giant Rashba effect, produce nonreciprocal spin-polarized photocurrent via circular photogalvanic effect (CPGE) by obliquely shining circularly polarized near-infrared (IR) light. CPGE is here caused by the injection of in-plane spin into spin-split surface-state bands, which is observed only on Tl-Pb alloy layers but not on single-element Tl nor Pb layers. In the Tl-Pb monolayer alloys, despite their monatomic thickness, the magnitude of CPGE is comparable to or even larger than the cases of many other spin-split thin-film materials.

2D Titanium Carbide MXene-Interfaced Zinc Oxide/Tungstite Architectures Adorned Mixed Matrix Polymer Membranes for Oily Wastewater Treatment.

An exceedingly porous and interwoven fibrous structure was achieved in this study by interlocking titanium carbide (TiC) MXenes onto the electrospun mats using poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as the base polymer. The fibrous membrane was further modified with the inclusion of zinc oxide (ZnO) and tungstite (WO·HO) nano/microstructures via annealing and hydrothermal approaches. Through these strategic interfaced morphological developments in novel TiC/ZnO/WO·HO heterostructures, our findings reveal enhanced wettability and charge-segregation desirable for promoting oil-water separation and photoreactivity, respectively.

Capacitorless Dynamic Random Access Memory with 2D Transistors by One-Step Transfer of van der Waals Dielectrics and Electrodes.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) has been a cornerstone of modern computing, but it faces challenges as technology scales down, particularly due to the mismatch between reduced storage capacitance and increasing OFF current. The capacitorless 2T0C DRAM architecture is recognized for its potential to offer superior area efficiency and reduced refresh rate requirements by eliminating the traditional capacitor. The exploration of two-dimensional (2D) materials further enhances scaling possibilities, though the absence of dangling bonds complicates the deposition of high-quality dielectrics.

Temperature Dependence of Optical Properties of MoS and WS Heterostructures Assessed by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry.

We report the complex dielectric function = + of MoS/WS and WS/MoS heterostructures and their constituent monolayers MoS and WS for an energy range from 1.5 to 6.0 eV and temperatures from 39 to 300 K.

Electromagnetic Wavefront Engineering by Switchable and Multifunctional Kirigami Metasurfaces.

Developing switchable and multifunctional metasurfaces is essential for high-integration photonics. However, most previous studies encountered challenges such as limited degrees of freedom, simple tuning of predefined functionality, and complicated control systems. Here, we develop a general strategy to construct switchable and multifunctional metasurfaces.

Advances in Photonic and Plasmonic Nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials and nanostructures with different morphologies or geometrical shapes that exploit plasmons, and particularly surface plasmon polaritons, are useful for a wide range device fabrication-related applications [...