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Exploring the consistency, quality and challenges in manual and automated coding of free-text diagnoses from hospital outpatient letters
Clinical coding is the process of extracting key information contained within clinical free-text and representing this information using standardised clinical terminologies. In doing so, unstructured text is transformed into structured data that can be retrieved and analysed more effectively. This process is essential to improving direct care, supporting communication between clinicians and enabling clinical research. However, manual clinical coding is difficult and time consuming, motivating the development and use of natural language processing for automated coding. This work evaluates the quality and consistency of both manual and automated coding of diagnoses from hospital outpatient letters. Using 100 randomly selected letters, two human clinicians performed coding of diagnosis lists to SNOMED CT. Automated coding was also performed using IMO’s Concept Tagger. A gold standard was constructed by a panel of clinicians from a subset of the annotated diagnoses. This was used to evaluate the quality and consistency of manual and automated coding via (1) a distance-based metric, treating SNOMED CT as a graph, and (2) a qualitative metric agreed upon by the panel of clinicians. Correlation between the two metrics was also evaluated. Comparing human and computer-generated codes to the gold standard, the results indicate that humans slightly out-performed automated coding, while both performed notably better when there was only a single diagnosis contained in the free-text description. Automated coding was considered acceptable by the panel of clinicians in approximately 90% of cases.
Characteristics of carrier localization and their effects on minority carrier lifetime in InAs/In0.5Ga0.5As0.5Sb0.5 type II superlattices
Advanced infrared optoelectronic devices fabricated using antimony-based type-II superlattices have progressed significantly in recent years. However, fundamental challenges remain in the understanding of the exciton recombination mechanism associated with these superlattice structures and in the exploration of efficient methods to suppress the effects of native defects and thus prolong carrier lifetimes. We have investigated the optical properties of high-quality InAs/In0.5Ga0.5As0.5Sb0.5 type-II superlattices in the long-wave infrared band (6–9 μm), where a significant carrier localization phenomenon was observed via temperature- and excitation-power-dependent photoluminescence measurements. The carrier distribution with respect to temperature, including the anomalous temperature dependences of the peak energy, the full width at half maximum, and the integrated intensities, were identified and explained using the localized-state ensemble luminescence model. We also observed a large radiative to nonradiative recombination ratio (∼42.6) by analyzing localized-state ensemble equations in type-II superlattices. Finally, the InAs/In0.5Ga0.5As0.5Sb0.5 superlattice showed long minority carrier lifetimes of up to 847 ns. These results show that the prepared InAs/In0.5Ga0.5As0.5Sb0.5 superlattices have excellent optical properties compared with existing type-II superlattices and have great potential for infrared optoelectronic applications.
Preliminary, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study with resveratrol in hypertensive patients
Regional variation in overweight and associations with regional profiles using a Japanese national open-source database
The objectives of this study were to describe regional variation in overweight and to investigate factors associated with overweight at the secondary medical area (SMA) level, accounting for regional economic sector profiles. We utilized data from the specific health checkup, which targets individuals aged 40–74 years. Following descriptive analyses, we employed partial least squares regression analyses using an open-access version of specific health checkup data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. This approach allowed us to identify latent variables related to regional variation in overweight and to examine associated lifestyle and socioenvironmental factors. Identifying these latent variables helps uncover underlying regional or socioeconomic patterns not directly observable, thereby informing more targeted public health interventions. The distinct characteristics of areas associated with a higher proportion of overweight persons were identified—the key latent variable encompassing low socioeconomic status and a high proportion of family workers. Additionally, our findings suggested that the drinking and eating environment may present challenges in regions with a high proportion of workers in the information and real estate sectors. In contrast, reduced walkability of the environment may be problematic in regions with many workers in the manufacturing and transportation sectors. Our study underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by each area with attention given to their local traits and industrial structures, which may have unconsciously shaped residents’ lifestyles and daily behaviors. As area-level variation in overweight and obesity related to contextual factors, such as economic sector profiles, have not been extensively studied internationally, this study provides a valuable insight into research on factors associated with overweight.
Carrier mobility in Janus WBAs X2 (X= S, Se, Te) governed by electron–phonon scattering: A first-principles study
Two-dimensional materials have emerged as key candidates for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic applications due to their unique structural and electronic properties. Accurate evaluation of charge transport characteristics, particularly electron mobility, is essential for assessing their practical potential. In this work, we employ first-principles density functional theory to investigate the total electron mobility of Janus WBAs X2 (X = S, Se, Te) monolayers, taking into account multiple scattering mechanisms. Our findings show that Janus WBAs X2 monolayers are semiconductors with relatively low total electron mobility, primarily limited by acoustic deformation potential scattering. We also analyze their vibrational properties and predict their Raman activity, which will aid in experimental identification. Interestingly, these materials exhibit Rashba-type spin splitting in their electronic band structures, indicating potential for spintronic applications. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental physical properties of Janus WBAs X2, highlighting their promise for future device technologies.
Optimized fault detection and control for enhanced reliability and efficiency in DC microgrids
Examining the application of innovative ELT strategies in primary school EFL classrooms
English language teaching strategies determine the practicality of effective language instruction. Their effectiveness, however, was not directly examined in the context of Ethiopian primary schools. This study aimed to explore primary school EFL teachers’ innovative teaching strategies employment. The study employed a descriptive survey research design with a convergent mixed methods approach. Ten primary schools were selected conveniently, including 60 teachers. They were selected based on the accessibility of the schools and the inclusion of all English teachers. Classroom observation, questionnaire and document analysis were used to collect data. The quantitative data were analyzed in percentages, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The finding revealed that primary school English language teachers were not teaching English using innovative teaching strategies: cooperative learning, task-based learning, project-based learning, differentiated learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and technology integration. Hence, the alignment of teaching strategies with the syllabus of English was mismatched. Although there were challenges in employing innovative teaching strategies, teachers’ commitment was found to be less. Therefore, it was concluded that primary school English language teachers were not employing innovative ELT strategies in Ethiopian primary schools.
Standard Li+/Li redox potential at the Li/amorphous-Li3PO4 interface probed by photoelectron spectroscopy for all-solid-state (photo)electrochemical systems
(Photo)electrochemistry in all-solid-state systems has advanced significantly, driven by the improvement of superionic conductors used as solid electrolytes. However, no general reference electrodes exist for all-solid-state systems that allow the discussion of (photo)electrochemical reactions in terms of potentials rather than voltages. Therefore, we focus on the standard redox potential of Li+/Li [Eº (Li+/Li)], because the charge–discharge behavior of all-solid-state batteries is nearly identical to that of Li-ion batteries. In this study, we have demonstrated that the Eº(Li+/Li) at the Li/amorphous-Li3PO4 interface can serve as a reliable standard potential, comparable to the Eº(Li+/Li) at Li/liquid-electrolyte interfaces, by using ultraviolet and low-energy inverse photoelectron spectroscopy. Our finding enables the discussion of (photo)electrochemical reactions in all-solid-state systems using potentials instead of voltages.
A whole slide image-based risk score predicts prognosis and postmastectomy radiotherapy benefit in triple negative breast cancer patients
Probabilistic behavioral aggregation: A case study on the Nordic power grid
This study applies the Probabilistic Behavioral Tuning (ProBeTune) framework to transient power grid simulations to address challenges posed by increasing grid complexity. ProBeTune offers a probabilistic approach to model aggregation, using a behavioral distance measure to quantify and minimize discrepancies between a full-scale system and a simplified model. We demonstrate the effectiveness of ProBeTune on the Nordic5 (N5) test case, a model representing the Nordic power grid with complex nodal dynamics and a high share of RESs. We substantially reduce the complexity of the dynamics by tuning the system to align with a reduced swing-equation model. We confirm the validity of the swing equation with tailored controllers and parameter distributions for capturing the essential dynamics of the Nordic region. This reduction could allow interconnected systems like the Central European power grid to treat the Nordic grid as a single dynamic actor, facilitating more manageable stability assessments. The findings lay the groundwork for future research on applying ProBeTune to microgrids and other complex sub-systems, aiming to enhance scalability and accuracy in power grid modeling amidst rising complexity.
High yield, low disorder Si/SiGe heterostructures for spin qubit devices manufactured in a BiCMOS pilot line
The prospect of achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing with semiconductor spin qubits in Si/SiGe heterostructures relies on the integration of a large number of identical devices, a feat achievable through a scalable (Bi)CMOS manufacturing approach. To this end, both the gate stack and the Si/SiGe heterostructure must be of high quality, exhibiting uniformity across the wafer and consistent performance across multiple fabrication runs. Here, we report a comprehensive investigation of Si/SiGe heterostructures and gate stacks, fabricated in an industry-standard 200 mm BiCMOS pilot line. We evaluate the homogeneity and reproducibility by probing the properties of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the shallow silicon quantum well through magnetotransport characterization of Hall bar-shaped field-effect transistors at 1.5 K. Across all the probed wafers, we observe minimal variation of the 2DEG properties, with an average maximum mobility of (4.25±0.17)×105 cm2/Vs and low percolation carrier density of (5.9±0.18)×1010 cm−2 evidencing low disorder potential in the quantum well. The observed narrow statistical distribution of the transport properties highlights the reproducibility and the stability of the fabrication process. Furthermore, wafer-scale characterization of a selected individual wafer evidenced the homogeneity of the device performances across the wafer area. Based on these findings, we conclude that our material and processes provide a suitable platform for the development of scalable, Si/SiGe-based quantum devices.
Bicyclic Selenenyl Sulfides with Tuned Bioreductive Step Rates Reveal Constraints for Probes Targeting Thioredoxin Reductase
Abstract The reductive activation of dichalcogenide probes by thiol‐type oxidoreductases proceeds through a cascade of consecutive, partly reversible steps. Stereocontrol elements can modulate the reaction rates of these steps to reach substrate‐controlled kinetic selectivity for reductase chemotypes in live cells. We now deploy regio‐, diastereo‐, template‐, and pH‐control elements to shape the reactivity of unprecedented bicyclic selenenyl sulfides ( SeSP ), arriving at probes that selectively target the mammalian selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase TrxR1. We accessed these densely functionalised cis ‐ or trans ‐fused 1,2‐thiaselenanes on gram scale over 5 steps by using a regioselective key step that elaborates an unusual, differentially protected 2,2′‐bis‐aziridine intermediate through sequential one‐pot chalcogen introduction and selenenyl sulfide formation. By profiling a set of regio‐ and diastereoisomeric bicycles for their partly or fully reversible reactivity during reductive activation, we show how effects that slow their reduction steps (addition then resolution) can compensate by vastly accelerating subsequent activation (cyclisation) speeds, such that cellular processing is effective and TrxR‐selective. More broadly, this study shows how multistep cascade probes can leverage conformational effects and internal noncovalent interactions to differentiate step kinetics along their on‐target versus off‐target reaction pathways, thus achieving reaction‐based target selectivity in complex biological settings.
Hybrid Bayesian deep learning model for predicting urban heat island intensity in African cities
Abstract Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), in which urban areas have higher temperatures than adjacent rural areas, lead to increased energy demand, poor air quality, and greater public health risks. These impacts are particularly significant in rapidly urbanizing regions of Africa, where climate-adaptive infrastructure has yet to be fully established. Here, we propose a hybrid predictive model derived from Bayesian Neural Networks (BNNs) for deep learning-based forecasting of Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) intensities across the African continent. The model employs attention mechanisms and Gradient Boosting Regressors (GBRs), using global climate and urban datasets from over 10,000 cities, incorporating variables such as land surface temperature, land use, and population density. This hybrid ensemble approach outperforms conventional deep learning methods, such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM), when applied to structured climate data. The model was validated using ten-fold cross-validation, yielding a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 1.47 °C, Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 3.56 °C2, and an R2 score of 0.84. Furthermore, it improved the overall accuracy of trained models by 12.3% in suburban areas and achieved an 8.6% reduction in MAE compared to baseline neural architectures. These findings highlight the value of uncertainty-aware and interpretable machine learning tools for climate adaptation. The proposed model can support urban planners in mitigating the thermal burden of rapidly growing urban populations in Africa, ultimately contributing to more livable, climate-resilient cities in the future.
Retraction: Institutional environment, technological innovation capability and service-oriented transformation
Tunable transparency and detectivity in ST-OPDs enabled by donor-acceptor engineering for advanced NIR imaging application
Near-infrared (NIR) semitransparent organic photodetectors (ST-OPDs) face inherent trade-off between visible transparency and NIR detectivity. This study resolves this challenge through systematic optimization of donor-acceptor material combinations and donor contents (from 50% to 5%) across nine NIR-absorbing systems. The PTB7-Th:COTIC-4F blend uniquely achieves dual optimization of average visible transmittance (AVT) more than 59% in films and shot-noise-limited specific detectivity (D*) exceeding 1012 Jones in opaque devices across all donor contents. At 40% donor content, large-area ST-OPDs (around 1 cm2) exhibit noise-corrected D* (2.96 × 1012 Jones) at 980 nm with 28% AVT, while reducing donor content to 10% enables 41% AVT while noise-corrected D* over 1011 Jones, demonstrating tunable transparency-detectivity balance. Optimized large-area ST-OPDs resolve 100 µm features under 100 µW illumination (980 nm), validated by dual-side imaging, indicating the great potential for application in scalable NIR vision systems.
Intermolecular Sp <sup>3</sup> C─H Metalation of Non‐Nucleophilic Brønsted Bases Using Simple Lewis Acids
Abstract 2,6‐Di‐ tert ‐butyl substituted pyridines ( t Bu 2 ‐py) are widely used non‐nucleophilic Brønsted bases. Their ubiquity is due to their highly hindered basic site and chemically robust nature. Herein we report that simple M 2 X 6 Lewis acids (M═Al or Ga, X═Cl, Br or I) effect intermolecular sp 3 C─H metalation of t Bu 2 ‐py bases under mild conditions. The sp 3 C─H metalated products can be converted in situ into ─BPin, ─iodo, ─bromo and ─hydroxy derivatives for further elaboration. Mechanistic investigations indicate that: i) a frustrated Lewis pair effects sp 3 C─H heterolysis to form the C─M bond and a protonated pyridine; ii) C─H metalation requires singly halide‐bridged super‐electrophilic M 2 X 6 dimers for sufficiently low barriers. Finally, sp 3 C─H metalation using M 2 X 6 is not limited to t Bu 2 ‐py bases. Thus, it is important to be aware of this facile sp 3 C─H functionalisation when using a range of non‐nucleophilic Brønsted bases.
Network toxicology and molecular docking elucidate the hepatotoxic and carcinogenic mechanisms of potassium sorbate validated by in vitro assays
Retraction: Regional unevenness in the construction of digital villages: A case study of China
Controlled synthesis of large-area MoS2/MoO2 heterostructure via one-step, two-stage chemical vapor deposition for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction
Two-dimensional (2D) materials and heterostructures with tunable dimensions present exciting opportunities for functional applications in next-generation devices. However, conventional methods such as two-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or mechanical exfoliation for constructing heterostructures often encounter issues such as interfacial contamination and limited structural diversity, making it difficult to meet the demands of diverse applications. Herein, we present a one-step, two-stage CVD strategy that enables the controllable synthesis of high-quality, large-area MoS2/MoO2 heterostructures. By precisely regulating the concentration of the metal source precursor, the MoS2/MoO2 heterostructure structures can be effectively extended to different dimensions, including 2D/0D, 2D/1D, and 2D/2D. Furthermore, this synthesis strategy exhibits excellent universality, as demonstrated by its application to the MoSe2/MoO2 heterostructure system. Compared to individual MoS2 and MoO2, the MoS2/MoO2 heterostructure demonstrates significantly enhanced electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. Kelvin probe force microscopy further confirms the existence of a Schottky barrier height at the MoS2/MoO2 interface, which effectively facilitates interfacial charge transfer. This work demonstrates a simple and efficient strategy for fabricating multidimensional heterostructures, providing important experimental support for future functional devices based on heterostructure materials.