Browse Articles

Modeling the drivers of trip satisfaction among Texas coastal anglers using creel survey data

Angler satisfaction can be a complicated concept to explore, because angler perceptions are driven by a wide range of factors that interact in complex ways. Additionally, methods that quantify angler satisfaction often use after-the-fact mail surveys that can be impacted by latent effects such as long recall bias, which can systematically influence angler reporting. Here, we applied boosted regression tree modeling to assess angler satisfaction from creel intercept data collected at boat ramps on the Texas coast from 1991–2023. Anglers returning from fishing were asked to rate their trip on a scale of 0–10, and trip grades were parsed based on anglers targeting three popular sportfish (Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, and Red Snapper). Angler satisfaction was modeled using observed catch data, weather on the day of trips, and other trip characteristics. Catch characteristics (total catch, angler catch-per-effort, catch length) were the most important predictors of angler satisfaction. There was also temporal and spatial variation in angler satisfaction, with trip grades increasing through time and from north to south. The relative importance of variables driving trip grade were different among angler groups, with weather-related factors (temperature, wind) being slightly more important for offshore Red Snapper anglers. A case study of Red Snapper anglers suggested that increasingly conservative federal and state regulatory measures through the time series appeared to have limited direct effects on angler satisfaction after accounting for temporal trends. Trip-level catch was the main predictor of reported angler trip grades, but spatial and temporal variation in trip grades suggest that angler satisfaction may be local and episodic. Variation in trip grades and the drivers of angler satisfaction among anglers targeting different species underscore the importance of a fisheries-level study design when assessing angler perceptions. These findings shed light on the influences of angler perceptions in Texas coastal fisheries and provide important insights for implementing future regulatory strategies.

Room-temperature, continuous wave lasing in planar microcavities with quantum dots

High-quality planar cavities with low-absorption mirrors based on Al0.2Ga0.8As/Al0.9Ga0.1As layers demonstrate continuous wave lasing at a wavelength of 956 nm. At 300 K, the threshold power density and the quality-factor at the threshold are (4.2 ± 0.3) kW/cm2 and (6800 ± 220). Increasing the pump level above two thresholds results in an enlargement in the quality-factor to at least 19 000. Efficient lateral heat dissipation in planar semiconductor microcavities is confirmed by the low mode-energy shift of approximately 400 μeV at two lasing thresholds.

Lightweight metal surface defect detection algorithm based on pruning and knowledge distillation

Abstract Metal surface defect detection models have large parameters and high computational complexity, making them difficult to deploy on industrial edge devices. To address these issues, this paper proposes a lightweight algorithm with collaborative pruning and distillation. This algorithm, based on YOLOv8, uses L1 regularization structured pruning to compress the SAF-YOLOv8 model for efficiency. The resulting pruned and unpruned models serve as the student and teacher in subsequent knowledge distillation. The BFCD-KD knowledge distillation method fuses middle-layer features with the regression and classification branches of the detection head and the original model loss. This integrated approach transfers teacher knowledge in feature representation, localization, and classification to improve optimization. Experimental results show that this algorithm reduces the model’s FLOPs by 51.0% and parameters by 41.5%, while achieving a mAP@0.50 of 70.6% on the GC10-DET dataset, balancing accuracy and efficiency. In addition, a real-time interactive metal surface defect detection system is developed for industrial sites using the lightweight SAF-YOLOv8 model. The system integrates industrial cameras, a controllable light source, and a graphical interactive interface built on the PyQt5 framework. It supports real-time visualization and interactive defect detection operations.

Association between deployment and Gulf War Illness and adverse COVID outcomes in a nationwide cohort of 1990–1991 Gulf Era war veterans in the VA’s Million Veteran Program

Background U.S. military veterans deployed to the Persian Gulf to serve in the 1990–1991 Gulf War (GWVs) have expressed concerns about potential increased risk of experiencing adverse COVID-related health outcomes given broad near-unique exposure to multiple diverse toxic agents during deployment and ongoing ~30% prevalence of Gulf War Illness (GWI+), a chronic, medically unexplained multi-symptom disorder associated with inflammation and immune dysregulation. Methods We conducted a retrospective study in the largest nationwide research cohort of 1990−1991Gulf War era veterans (GWEVs) enrolled in the VA’s nationwide Million Veteran Program (MVP) to interrogate: 1) if deployed GWVs had increased risk for testing positive for novel SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID+), COVID-related hospitalization, ICU admission, or death in 2020 (pre-vaccine period); and 2) if deployed GWVs with GWI + had particularly increased susceptibility. COVID outcomes ascertained using VA’s COVID Data Resource; GWI + determined using CDC severe criteria in surveyed GWV subcohort. Findings Our overall GWEV cohort (N = 136,868) had mean age 60.7 years, with 84% male, 27% African-American, and 22% deployed; n = 26,141 COVID-tested in 2020. COVID test-positivity (COVID + ) was slightly higher in deployed GWVs (18.8% vs. 17.2% in non-deployed GWEVs, p = 0.005). In multivariable logistic models, there were neither strong nor significant associations between deployment and testing COVID + , COVID-related hospitalization or ICU admission (adjusted [adj] ORs ranged from 0.90–1.06, all p-values >0.05), nor significant differences in COVID-related mortality. Preliminary analysis in our pre-pandemic surveyed deployed GWV subcohort (N = 1,643 COVID-tested, 39% GWI + , 18.4% testing-COVID + , 10.6% COVID + hospitalized) suggested GWI + potentially associated with significantly increased COVID-hospitalization risk (adjOR=2.21, 95%CI: 1.02–4.81, p = 0.04); though no significant excess was observed for COVID-related ICU admission or mortality. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that overall deployment to serve in the 1990–1991 Gulf War was not associated with increased COVID-related health risks among Gulf War era veterans using VA healthcare system in early pre-vaccine pandemic era. Preliminary findings suggesting association between Gulf War Illness and potential increased COVID-related hospitalization risk among deployed Gulf War veterans in the early pandemic era warrants replication and ongoing evaluation to assess if it persists in the era of COVID vaccination, oral anti-COVID medications and new viral variants.

History-dependent filament configuration in multiterminal electrothermal memristors

Electrothermal memristors operate by a resistive switching mechanism based on Joule heating. During the switching process, metallic filaments form between the electrical contacts in a highly reversible and reproducible manner. Our experiments on planar VO2-based devices show that multiple filaments can form when several electronic terminals are involved. The configuration, position, and size of the filaments depend sensitively on the applied inputs and on their history. Because of this history dependence and the interchangeability of the terminals, these devices are promising building blocks for programmable networks with built-in local memory.

A novel belief-degree-based uncertain Tchebycheff norm DEA model for the case study of risks prioritizing in e-business projects

Retraction: Health risk assessment of exposure to chlorpyrifos in pregnant women using deterministic and probabilistic approaches

Multimodal liquid transport enabled by <i>Crassula muscosa</i> shoot inspired ratchet-shaped leaves channel

Despite advances in bioinspired liquid transport systems, most reported surfaces relying on static wettability gradients or asymmetric structures are limited to single-mode transport, while multimodal transport within a single channel remains largely unexplored. Inspired by Crassula muscosa shoots, we propose a multimodal liquid transport channel (MLTC) that integrates asymmetric curvature and tilt features to enable on-demand switching among four liquid transport modes: (I) unidirectional transport in channel, (II) bidirectional transport in channel, (III) unidirectional transport with a protruding liquid film on channel, and (IV) transport failure. The surface-tension responsiveness mechanism is elucidated, where the synergy between curvature-induced Laplace pressure asymmetry and tilt-driven meniscus dynamics governs transport behavior, allowing liquids with surface tensions ranging from 22.8 to 72.8 mN/m to autonomously select transport modes. Leveraging the tunable flow direction and liquid height differences among modes, a real-time surface-tension sensor is demonstrated, capable of distinguishing liquids within three ranges: 22.8–31.5, 35–42.5, and ∼55 mN/m. Furthermore, assembled MLTCs further function as droplet separators, achieving &amp;gt;95% efficiency for both oil–water and oil–oil separations. This work introduces a multimodal liquid manipulation strategy, offering new opportunities for adaptive microfluidics, smart diagnostics, and precise liquid separation.

Ultra-wideband reflective polarization rotator achieving 104% measured bandwidth with high-efficiency multi-state polarization control

Association between neighborhood disadvantage and chronic hepatitis B in the central Puget Sound region of Washington, 2018 to 2023

Background Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) disproportionately affects immigrant and socioeconomically marginalized populations in the United States. Neighborhood-level metrics such as the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) may provide insight into structural and geographic indicators of CHB risk. Methods and findings We used electronic health record data from the University of Washington Medicine system to assess the association between neighborhood-level social deprivation and a positive CHB status among adults aged ≥18 with at least one clinical encounter between 2018 and 2023. We conducted a case-control study where CHB cases were identified via positive hepatitis B surface antigen or detectable HBV DNA. Comparators were selected from patients who had a complete blood count (CBC) or chemistry panel testing as a general marker of healthcare engagement to ensure comparable opportunity for diagnosis. The comparators were then frequency matched to cases by care setting and calendar year quarter of medical encounter. Geocoded patient billing addresses were linked to census block groups to confer ADI scores, which were analyzed in 2-, 5-, and 10-level categories. Finer ADI stratification better captured gradients in neighborhood disadvantage and revealed the clearest trends; results from the 10-level ADI categories are noted here. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and insurance status were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) for CHB cases across ADI categories. The final study cohort included 5,729 CHB cases and 6,143 comparators. CHB was more common among individuals identifying as Asian, Black, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and those with public or no insurance. Adjusted models showed higher odds of a CHB positive test among residents of more disadvantaged neighborhoods, with the highest ADI category associated with twice the odds of CHB compared to the least disadvantaged category (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.51–2.82), with an overall upward trend across ADI levels. Conclusions Neighborhood-level disadvantage was associated with higher odds of a CHB positive test when using granular stratification of ADI and after adjusting for individual-level factors. These findings support the integration of place-based metrics to inform targeted public health initiatives, including community-responsive education, and geographically focused hepatitis B screening and linkage-to-care efforts in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Enhancing carrier transport in Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskites through multifunctional ferroelectric polymer doping

Cs2AgBiBr6 lead-free double perovskites are promising materials for optoelectronic applications but suffer from limited carrier transport due to defects and strong electron–phonon coupling. In this work, we introduce a multifunctional doping strategy using the ferroelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to simultaneously address these challenges. PVDF modulates film crystallization to reduce defects, relaxes lattice strain to weaken electron–phonon coupling, and—after electrical polarization—provides a built-in electric field that promotes charge separation. As a result, PVDF-doped Cs2AgBiBr6 solar cells achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 1.91%, representing a 40% improvement over the control device (1.36%), with much improved stability. This work presents a simple and effective approach to improving carrier dynamics in double perovskites for broader optoelectronic applications.

Assessment of parental combining ability, hybrid performance over environment and SSR oriented parental genetic diversity in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Kidney dysfunction is associated with mortality, adverse CT-based muscle metrics, and functional decline in surgically treated liposarcomas of the extremities and trunk

Background Liposarcomas (LS) of the extremities and trunk are aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas and surgical resection combined with multimodal therapy represents the cornerstone of curative treatment. Despite advances in surgical and medical management patients are still at risk of developing medical complications that negatively affect morbidity and mortality. Kidney dysfunction, sarcopenia and progressive loss of visceral adipose tissue have emerged as prognostically relevant and potentially treatable complications in surgical oncology. However, despite their growing relevance, little is known about their frequency and impact on survival and morbidity in the context of LS. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 47 adult patients with localized LS of the extremities and trunk who underwent curative-intent surgery. Kidney function, CT morphometry of muscle (skeletal muscle index, SMI) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as well as clinical assessments including ECOG score were recorded at diagnosis (t1) and after a median follow-up (t2) of 11 months. Kidney dysfunction, defined as a decrease in eGFR of ≥ 25% between time points, was analyzed in relation to survival, sequentially assessed CT-morphometry of muscle and adipose tissue as well as functional status assessed by ECOG scores. Results All patients underwent curative-intent surgical treatment with or without additional multimodal treatment (surgery only: 51.1%, additional radiation: 31.9%, additional chemotherapy: 38.3%). Kidney dysfunction was frequent in our cohort (53.2% of all patients) and significantly associated reduced overall survival in Kaplan–Meier, uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models (multivariate hazard ratio: 6.7; p = 0.03). In addition, patients with kidney dysfunction experienced a significantly accelerated loss of SMI (p &lt; 0.001) and VAT (p &lt; 0.001) as well as accelerated functional deterioration measured by worsening ECOG scores between t1 and t2 compared to a stable ECOG score in patients without kidney dysfunction (odds ratio of ECOG increase of: 8.0; p = 0.0027). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is among the first studies to investigate kidney dysfunction and its consequences in adult LS patients. In our cohort of surgically treated adult patients with LS of the extremities and trunk, kidney dysfunction was a frequent and clinically impactful complication. It was significantly associated with decreased overall survival, loss of muscle and adipose tissue in sequential CT morphometry assessments and progressive functional decline. Off note, CT-morphometry enabled objective, high-resolution tracking of body composition decline and may serve as a promising additional tool for risk stratification. Nonetheless, given the limited cohort size and retrospective single-center design, the generalizability of our findings is limited and the results should therefore be interpreted with caution. Despite these limitations, our findings call for future prospective studies and an awareness for heightened renal surveillance and integrated body composition assessments in the multimodal management of sarcoma patients.

Real‐Time Single‐Molecule Observation of a Chemical Reaction Reshaping the Energy Landscape of a Molecular Shuttle

ABSTRACT Artificial molecular machines often rely on chemical stimuli to switch between functional states, yet the real‐time dynamics of these transitions remain largely obscured by ensemble averaging. We describe the real‐time single‐molecule tracking of a Diels–Alder reaction that irreversibly alters the co‐conformational space of a two‐station [2]rotaxane. By tethering individual shuttles in optical tweezers, we observe the transformation of a fumaramide binding site into a non‐binding adduct in an aqueous environment. This covalent modification triggers a brisk shift in the macrocycle's positional preference, effectively erasing the thermodynamically favored state and leaving the secondary succinic amide‐ester station as the sole anchoring site. Our analysis allows us to reconstruct the energy landscape before and after the chemical event, revealing that the transformation reshapes the thermodynamic potential without measurably perturbing the intrinsic kinetics. This study highlights the potential of force spectroscopy for the in‐situ characterization of chemically driven changes in the function of individual molecular devices.

Stable Synapse‐Like Memory Switching in N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers

ABSTRACT We report a robust redox‐active N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) monolayer that exhibits synapse‐like behavior driven by proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET). Our quinone‐functionalized NHC (Rex–NHC) forms densely packed, upright self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au, confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, x‐ ray photoelectron spectroscopy, sum‐frequency generation spectroscopy, and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. Molecular junctions built as Au–Rex–NHC//Ga 2 O 3 /EGaIn operate over ± 2 V and can withstand electric fields up to 3.3 GV/m. Bias‐induced PCET toggles between quinone (off) and hydroquinone (on) states, yielding reversible hysteresis with on/off ratios up to 1.9 × 10 2 . The devices exhibit spike‐timing and spike‐rate‐dependent plasticity, demonstrating for the first time molecular‐level neuromorphic behavior using NHCs as anchoring groups.

Unraveling the microscopic mechanism of thermal conductivity in 2D COF–C60 assemblies via machine-learning potentials

Covalent organic framework–fullerene assemblies (C60@COF) are promising for energy storage and optoelectronics, but the microscopic mechanisms governing their thermal conductivity (κ) remain poorly understood and controversial. Here, we employ a neuroevolution potential (NEP) to investigate thermal transport in pristine COF-1 and C60@COF-1 through large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Contrary to previous classical potential-based studies, our simulations reveal that C60 incorporation systematically reduces, rather than enhances, the in-plane κ of COF-1. Structural analyses show that the local bonding environment of the COF-1 framework remains largely intact, and confined C60 molecules are translationally localized, undergoing primarily librational and orientational motions. Phonon analysis indicates that C60 contributes negligibly to heat conduction, instead acting as localized molecular rattlers that strongly scatter low-frequency framework phonons, thereby shortening the phonon mean free path in C60@COF-1. Furthermore, stacking-dependent C60 libration and host-imposed confinement yield stronger host–guest coupling in AB-stacked C60@COF-1 compared to its AA-stacked counterpart, resulting in stronger phonon scattering and lower in-plane κ. This work elucidates the microscopic origin of thermal transport suppression in COF–C60 assemblies, establishes an NEP-based strategy for studying host–guest porous systems, and highlights confined molecular rattling as a tunable design parameter for regulating heat conduction in porous organic frameworks.

Retinal blood flow increases with diabetic retinopathy severity in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study using laser doppler velocimetry

Abstract Retinal arterial blood flow is known to be reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) No Diabetic Retinopathy (NDR) compared with healthy individuals, yet the hemodynamic changes across the early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remain unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between retinal blood flow (RBF) and DR severity in patients with T2D using laser Doppler velocimetry, which provides absolute measurements of retinal arterial diameter, flow velocity, and volumetric blood flow. A total of 419 participants were included and classified as NDR (n = 323), mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR; n = 60), moderate NPDR (n = 8), or severe NPDR (n = 28). Median RBF increased progressively with DR severity, measuring 9.8, 10.6, 11.9, and 11.6 μl/min, respectively. Trend analysis using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test demonstrated a significant positive association between RBF and DR stage (p = 0.035). These findings suggest that while RBF is reduced in the earliest stage of diabetes, it subsequently increases with worsening retinopathy, potentially reflecting impaired retinal autoregulation and pressure-dependent hyperperfusion. Measurement of retinal arterial blood flow may therefore serve as a potential hemodynamic marker associated with DR severity in T2D.

Toward a fully wireless endovascular neural interface: Evaluating power transfer efficacy

Background Endovascular neural interfaces (ENIs) offer a minimally invasive approach for neural stimulation and recording without the need for open brain surgery. However, current generation devices have long transvascular wires from the implant site to the chest. Eliminating these wires will unlock clinical usability, including lowering infection risk from transvascular wires, reducing the risk of thrombosis from altered hemodynamics, and improving mechanical reliability. However, removing these transvascular wires would require efficient power transfer across the skull and tissue while meeting specific absorption rate (SAR) limits, which is a significant challenge in the field. Objective This work designed and evaluated endovascular receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) coils within endovascular geometric and biological constraints to maximize wireless power transfer. Methods This study evaluated the optimal operating frequencies, quantified coupling, coil quality factors, power transfer efficiency, and SAR using computational modeling, benchtop, and in-vivo testing. The study also assessed the tolerance to coil misalignment and load mismatch. We evaluated each case with and without ferrites with measurements in air, sheep tissue, and in vivo in sheep. Results The results showed that inductive power transfer delivered power to endovascular geometry devices at clinically relevant depths. The maximum power transfer efficiency (PTE) reached 11% at 15 mm and 2% at 30 mm, with up to 72 mW delivered at 30 mm under SAR safety limits. The rectangular planar coil pair performed best at ≤15 mm, whereas the ferrite-core flux-pipe Tx with a helical Rx outperformed beyond ~20 mm and was more tolerant to misalignment. Conclusion This study demonstrated the feasibility of wirelessly powering multichannel ENIs using coils that can be placed inside a blood vessel and powered inductively. Making an endovascular neural interface fully wireless has the potential to transform the technology by improving both safety and reliability.

Enhancing electrical properties of selectively grown in-plane InAs nanowires using InGaAs buffer and capping layers

In-plane semiconductor nanowires with complex branched geometries, prepared via selective area growth (SAG), offer a versatile platform for advanced electronics, optoelectronics, and quantum devices. However, defects and disorder at the interfaces and top surfaces of the nanowires can significantly degrade electrical properties. One effective method to mitigate these issues is the incorporation of buffer and capping layers with close lattice matching. In this work, we utilized InGaAs as buffer and capping layers for SAG InAs nanowires after expanding the growth selectivity window for InGaAs in the presence of atomic hydrogen. Hall measurements on InAs nanowires, with and without InGaAs buffer and/or capping layers, revealed that incorporating closely lattice-matched InGaAs buffer and capping layers nearly tripled the electron mobility and doubled the phase coherence length compared to nanowires without these layers. The InGaAs capping layer enables transparent interfaces between the superconductor and nanowire, facilitating superconductor–semiconductor hybrid devices. These findings highlight that the use of InGaAs buffer and capping layers is a crucial strategy for significantly enhancing the quality of InAs nanowires, unlocking their full potential for high-performance electronics and quantum devices.

Behavioral and psychosocial correlates of awake bruxism behaviors in esports athletes: a cross-sectional study