Browse Articles

Estimating vastus lateralis muscle volume from a single ultrasound image

Abstract The assessment of skeletal muscle volume is valuable for fundamental research and clinical practice, but remains limited in larger cohorts due to its time-consuming nature. Here, we developed a method to accurately estimate vastus lateralis (VL) muscle volume based on a single measurement of anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) or tissue thickness. Sixty-nine healthy participants (20–91 years) volunteered. In a subgroup (n = 34) we measured VL volume and ACSAs at 10% intervals along the muscle length to derive a VL muscle shape factor. We subsequently estimated VL volume by multiplying this muscle shape factor with muscle length and a single measure of ACSA at 50% muscle length (ACSAVL50%) or an estimated ACSAVL50% from a single ultrasound scan of tissue thickness in an independent cohort (n = 35). VL muscle shape factor was determined by integrating a fourth-order polynomial of muscle length and ACSA, and was dependent on muscle size. Estimating muscle volume had a high accuracy (R²=0.976, CCC = 0.987), low bias and error (< 8.5%) in both the main cohort and an independent validation group. Estimating muscle volume from stitching 2D images at 50% muscle length or estimating ACSA with a geometric model explained 91–95% of variance in measured volumes, with high accuracy and concordance correlation coefficients. VL muscle volume can be estimated by multiplying a muscle shape factor with muscle length and ACSAVL50% from a single ultrasound image. We present a novel, cost-effective, rapid, yet accurate assessment of VL muscle mass for (large-scale) studies and clinical practice.

Magma chamber failure and dyke injection threshold for magma-driven unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera

Counterintuitive Photochemistry of an Isolated Acridinyl Radical: ConPET via Preassembly, Solvated Electrons or a Long‐Lived Excited State?

Abstract Photoredox chemistry has seen a dramatic rise in popularity in recent years, but mechanistic understanding has persistently lagged behind reaction development itself. This is particularly true for the emerging area of consecutive photoinduced electron transfer (conPET), which has attracted both great interest due to its ability to activate inert substrates selectively and under mild conditions and continuing controversy over its mechanistic feasibility. We describe herein the isolation of the key radical intermediate state of an acridinium‐based conPET catalyst and detailed investigations of its photochemistry by a suite of (photo)reactivity, photoluminescence and transient absorption techniques, supported by computational studies. We observe strong wavelength and solvent dependencies in the reactivity profile, which correlate well with observations of a long‐lived, fluorescent excited state that would be compatible with diffusion‐limited reactivity. However, photoluminescence and transient absorption spectroscopies suggest that, counter‐intuitively, this state does not actually participate in reactivity. Instead, changes occur far faster than the diffusion limit, which provides strong, direct evidence for preassembly of the photocatalyst and substrate prior to photoexcitation. Further inspection also indicates parallel formation of solvated electrons, likely providing the major pathway under previously reported synthetic conditions, suggesting that otherwise competing rationales for conPET can in fact operate simultaneously.

Hydrolyzed MOF based Mo@h-ZIF-8/ZnS composite for enhanced photodegradation of dye pollutants using a combined experimental and RSM approach

Analysis wheat wild relatives Thinopyrum intermedium and Roegneria kamoji genomes reveal different polyploid evolution paths

N─B─N Isomer Induced Room Temperature Phosphorescence: Expression, Mechanistic Insights, and Multi‐Level Anti‐Counterfeiting Applications

Abstract Achieving pure organic room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials is of great interest due to their applications in optoelectronics. However, improving RTP in pure organic materials by controlling triplet excitons is challenging due to their complex relaxation processes. Therefore, exploring effective strategies to modulate triplet excitons is crucial. Herein, we propose a N─B─N isomerization strategy to enhance RTP performance. Two isomers containing HN─B─NH units (B 2 {1,2‐(NH) 2 C 6 H 4 } 2 ), namely 1,1‐DB and 1,2‐DB, were synthesized to explore their RTP properties. Intriguingly, 1,1‐DB exhibited excellent RTP, whereas 1,2‐DB displayed negligible phosphorescence. The N─B─N unit in 1,1‐DB optimizes molecular configuration and interactions, enhancing electron delocalization and stabilizing triplet excitons, which improves intersystem crossing (ISC) and spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) while reducing nonradiative decay, thus enabling RTP. Additionally, based on phosphorescence resonance energy transfer, multicolor afterglows were achieved by doping fluorescein into 1,1‐DB. This work not only provides a new class of RTP materials but also offers valuable insights for the discovery and optimization of rational designs in RTP materials, potentially triggering the exploration of new functions and properties within boron‐nitrogen molecular systems.

Transient electromagnetic imaging of saltwater intrusion at the shrinking Dead Sea

Abstract The Dead Sea (DS) area faces critical environmental challenges, including saltwater intrusion (SWI), widespread sinkhole formation, and topographic changes, largely driven by declining DS water levels. These hazards adversely affect the region’s stability, hydrosystems, and agricultural facilities. In particular, the Ghor Al-Haditha (GAH) region in southern DS has been severely affected by these challenges. This study focuses on imaging saltwater intrusion pathways and their relationship with structural and hydrological features in the GAH region using the transient electromagnetic (TEM) method. A total of 195 TEM soundings of single-turn loop were conducted, spatially covering an area of 4 × 3 km² with a focus along three key stream channel profiles. The data are interpreted using 1D Occam and Marquardt-Levenberg inversion methods. Results are presented as spatial resistivity models at various depths, complemented by interpreted cross-sections for detailed analysis. The derived subsurface resistivity models reveal a saltwater interface with resistivity values less than 1.0 Ωm, detected at 100 m depth and following subsurface stream channels in the area. The main SWI extends 1.75 km inland in the shallow aquifer, most clearly along a well-defined channel in the central part of the study area and serving as a proxy for illustrating the significance of known and hidden hydrogeological pathways in this region, where higher intrusion rates are observed. Additionally, minor anomalies near fault and concealed fault zones may suggest localized upwelling linked to deeper saltwater migration. At the scale of the geophysical survey, the SWI predominantly encompasses the sinkhole belt, while spatially, it appears to be constrained by two bounding stream systems to the north and south. The mid-region resistivity model highlights a stratified subsurface structure comprising freshwater, brackish, and brine zones, emphasizing the model’s value in understanding aquifer vulnerability and guiding water management strategies in the GAH area.

Air-stable Li5FeO4 additive enabled by carbon coating for energy-dense lithium-ion batteries

Integrating visceral protein ratios and mid-arm circumference predicts survival and malnutrition in gastric cancer

Advances in artificial intelligence and precision nutrition approaches to improve maternal and child health in low resource settings

The regulation of miR-155 strand selection by CELF2, FUBP1 and KSRP proteins

prdm1a drives a fate switch between hair cells of different mechanosensory organs

Gold and Bismuth Trimetallic Synergistic Redox Catalysis for Non‐Directed C─H Arylation with Aryl Bismuth

Abstract The influence of substituent effects plays an important role on the efficiency and regioselectivity toward C─H activation of non‐directed arenes. Here, an unprecedented trimetallic synergistic redox catalysis system has been developed to achieve a highly efficient and orthogonal C─H arylation of non‐directed arenes with aryl bismuth. Both electron‐rich and ‐deficient aryl bismuth can proceed C─H arylation readily, thus affording an elegant strategy for the synthesis of challenging electron‐rich and sterically hindered biaryls by means of gold catalysis. Mechanistic studies reveal that Bi(V) species generated in‐situ from Ar─Bi(III) and NFSI is not only an arylation reagent but also an oxidant to form a critical Au(II)─Au(II)─Bi intermediate (detected by HRMS). Interestingly, the binding Bi‐moiety can modulate the electronic and steric environment of gold center through cooperative interactions, thus promoting the intramolecular transmetallation and reductive elimination. In addition, the synthetic robustness of this protocol has been demonstrated by gram‐scale experiments and late‐stage functionalization of complex molecules.

Modelling of acid brown 14 and acid yellow 36 dyes adsorption from water by self-nitrogen-doped activated carbon

Abstract Acid Brown 14 (AB14) and Acid Yellow 36 (AY36) are synthetic azo dyes extensively utilized in numerous industries, resulting in detrimental environmental consequences. This study aims to manufacture self-nitrogen-doped porous activated carbon (AC7-800) and investigate its effectiveness in removing the AB14 and AY36 dyes from water solutions. The AC7-800 was created by combining fish waste (with a protein composition of 60% as a nitrogen source), which served as a self-nitrogen dopant. An equal mass ratio (1:1:1) of sawdust, fish waste, and zinc chloride underwent a hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C for 5 h. Subsequently, the material underwent pyrolysis for 1 h in a continuous flow of nitrogen gas at 800 °C to produce AC7-800. The AC7-800 adsorbent was successfully tested and approved to eliminate colours from water in batch trials. The AC7-800 samples were analyzed using BET, SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and DTA techniques. The results demonstrated the practical synthesis of AC7-800 with a nitrogen mass percentage concentration of 13.73%. The specific surface area, mean pore diameter and monolayer volume were measured to be 437.51 m2 g− 1, 2.01 nm, and 100.52 cm3 g− 1, respectively. The objective is to examine the elimination of AB14 and AY36 dyes from a water-based solution using various factors such as initial dye concentration, solution pH, AC7-800 dosage, and contact time. The efficacy of AC7-800 in removing AB14 and AY36 dyes was found to be dependent on the pH level. The highest elimination efficiency of 63.29% and 85.86% was achieved at pH 1.5 for AB14 and AY36 dyes, respectively. Additionally, the maximum adsorption capacity (Q m ) for AB14 and AY36 dyes was determined to be 107.5 and 263.2 mg g− 1, respectively. The equilibrium data demonstrated a good association with the Langmuir model (LIM) for both dyes, although the best-fit kinetic model was the pseudo-second-order model (PSOM). Electrostatic interactions between the dye molecules and the charged spots on the AC7-800 surface cause both dyes to adsorb. The prepared AC7-800 can be considered a highly effective, accessible, and environmentally acceptable adsorbent for the adsorption of AB14 and AY36 dyes from simulated water. AB14 and AY36 dyes adsorption to AC7-800 was predicted by the response-surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) models. The ANN model was more effective in predicting AB14 and AY36 dyes adsorption than the D-optimal RSM, and it was highly applicable in the sorption process.

Author Correction: No apparent state-dependency of equilibrium climate sensitivity between the Pleistocene glacial and interglacial climate states

Dynamic Regulation of Radical Photochromism and Photoluminescence via Polymer Polarity

Abstract While polymer matrices are widely used to protect excited‐state phosphors from oxygen and moisture quenching by providing a network that enables long‐lived room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP), the influence of polymer polarity on phosphors for stable free radicals with radical luminescence (RL) has not been well studied. In this work, naphthalene diimide (NDI) derivatives, denoted as NDI‐XC‐OH (X = 2–6), featuring different alkyl alcohol chains, exhibit multi‐responsive and tunable RTP and RL properties through polymer matrix polarity regulation. Experimental results reveal that NDI‐XC‐OH •− anion radicals are generated via not only photoinduction in the excited state but also intermolecular interactions of polar matrix in the ground state. Theoretical simulations demonstrate that polar polymers rich in hydrogen‐bonding donors (e.g., ─NH 2 , ─NH─, and ─OH), where electrostatic interactions dominate over dispersion (E/D > 1), more readily induce anion radicals compared to polar polymers rich in acceptors (e.g., ─CN and ─CO─), where dispersion interactions outweigh electrostatic effects (E/D < 1). These derivatives exhibit potential applications in information encryption and volatile amine detection due to their chromic and luminescent properties. These findings offer perspectives on the role of polymer matrix polarity in modulating anion radical behavior, and mechanistic insights into the balance between RTP and RL properties.

ReactorNet based on machine learning framework to identify control rod position for real time monitoring in PWRs

Abstract This paper presents a novel approach, ReactorNet, a machine learning framework leveraging thermal neutron flux imaging to enable real-time monitoring of pressurized water reactors (PWRs). By integrating EfficientNetB0 with a hybrid classification-regression architecture, the model accurately identifies control rod positions and operational parameters through thermal neutron flux patterns detected by ex-core sensors. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Clustering Analysis decode radial flux variations linked to rod movements, while simulations of a 2772-MW(th) PWR using TRITON FORTRAN validate the framework. This framework outperforms Vision Transformers and ResNet50, achieving superior multi-class accuracy (97.5%) and reduced the mean absolute error (MAE) of regression. Test-Time Augmentation and cross-validation mitigate data limitations, ensuring robustness. This work bridges AI and nuclear engineering, demonstrating EfficientNetB0’s potential for precise, real-time reactor monitoring, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Modelling transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in camel populations and the potential impact of animal vaccination

Abstract Outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in humans are driven by recurring zoonotic spillover from camels, leading to demand for camel vaccination. With two vaccine candidates shown to reduce infectiousness, there is a need to better understand transmission of MERS-CoV in camels and assess the potential impact of vaccination. To help address this, we used age-stratified seroprevalence data and a combination of modelling methodologies to estimate key epidemiological quantities including MERS-CoV transmissibility in camels and to estimate vaccine impact on infection incidence. Transmissibility was higher in West Asia ( R 0 interquartile range 7-14) compared to Africa (3-5) and South Asia (2-3), highlighting the need for setting-specific vaccination strategies. Modelling suggested that even if the vaccine only reduced infectiousness rather than susceptibility to infection, vaccinating calves could achieve large reductions in incidence in moderate and high transmission settings, and interrupt transmission in low transmission settings, provided coverage was high (70-90%).

Research on sentiment index and real estate demand forecasting based on BERT-BiLSTM and ADL-MIDAS models

Atomically precise construction of uniform single-molecule junctions for molecular electronics